| UK
Anti-Epileptic Drugs List
A
very valid concern felt by many people is what side effects they are likely
to experience. A glance at the most common or important side effects may
look rather alarming. However, it should be remembered that although any
of these side effects is a possibility, the majority of people will experience
few or relatively mild side effects.
Some
of the side effects affecting the central nervous system, such as drowsiness
or dizziness, may be more apparent in the early days of taking the medication
while the body is adjusting to taking drugs. Once this has happened, these
should lessen or disappear completely. If that does not happen, then it
is important to talk to the doctor again who may suggest changing either
the dosage or the drug itself.
The following information is taken mainly from British National Formulary (BNF) Number 55 (March 2008). Published by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, it is updated twice a year. For the latest guidance, visit www.bnf.org.
The drugs listed are those usually prescribed for everyday seizure control. Other drugs, such as diazepam or midazolam, are available for emergency use. Under the heading Indications in epilepsy, the main use of each drug is given. In certain circumstances some drugs may be prescribed for purposes/seizure types other than those listed. Anti-epileptic drugs are available in a number of different formulations such as tablets, capsules, chewtabs, sugar-free liquid, syrup, dispersible tablets, crushable tablets and sprinkle capsules.
For further information about anti-epileptic drugs, side effects, dosages etc, please consult your GP, specialist, refer to the BNF or contact the Epilepsy Helpline: freephone 0808 800 5050; email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
Click
on the drug name for further information or scroll down for the full list:
Glossary: adjunct/adjunctive – used with other anti-epileptic drugs
Generic name |
Some brand names |
Strengths available |
Indications in epilepsy |
Date of UK licence |
acetazolamide |
Diamox |
250 mg |
Has a specific role in treating epilepsy associated with menstruation. It can also be used with other anti-epileptics for tonic-clonic and partial seizures. It is occasionally helpful in atypical absences, atonic and tonic seizures |
1988 |
acetazolomide modified release |
Diamox SR |
250 mg |
As above |
|
carbamazepine |
Tegretol |
100 mg
200 mg
400 mg
100 mg/5 mL |
Partial and secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures, primary generalised seizures |
1965 |
carbamazepine modified release |
Carbagen SR
Tegretol Retard |
200 mg
400 mg |
As carbamazepine |
1965 |
clobazam |
Frisium |
10 mg |
Adjunct in epilepsy |
1979 |
clonazepam |
Rivotril |
0.5mg
2 mg |
All forms of epilepsy |
1979 |
ethosuximide |
Emeside
Zarontin |
250 mg
250 mg/5 mL |
Absence seizures |
1955 |
gabapentin |
Neurontin |
100 mg
300 mg
400 mg
600 mg
800 mg |
Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation |
1993 |
lamotrigine |
Lamictal |
2 mg
5 mg
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
200 mg |
Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures and primary and secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures; seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome |
1991 |
levetiracetam |
Keppra |
250 mg
500 mg
750 mg
1000 mg
100 mg/5 mL |
Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation and for adjunctive therapy of myoclonic seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures |
2000 |
oxcarbazepine |
Trileptal |
150 mg
300 mg
600 mg
300 mg/5 mL |
Montherapy and adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures |
2000 |
phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) |
|
15 mg
30 mg
60mg
15 mg/5 mL |
All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures |
1912 |
phenytoin |
Epanutin |
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
300 mg
30 mg/5 mL |
All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures |
1938 |
pregabalin |
Lyrica |
25 mg
50 mg
75 mg
100 mg
150 mg
200 mg
300 mg |
Adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation |
2004 |
primidone |
Mysoline |
250 mg |
All forms of epilepsy except absence seizures |
1952 |
| rufinamide |
Inovelon |
100mg
200mg
400mg |
Adjunctive treatment of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome |
2007 |
sodium valproate |
Epilim
Orlept |
100 mg
200 mg
500 mg
200 mg/5 mL |
All forms of epilepsy |
1973 |
sodium valproate modified release |
Epilim Chrono
Episenta |
200 mg
300 mg
500 mg |
All forms of epilepsy |
|
tiagabine |
Gabitril |
5 mg
10 mg
15 mg |
Adjunctive treatment for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation |
1998 |
topiramate |
Topamax |
15 mg
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
200 mg |
Monotherapy and adjunctive treatment of generalised tonic-clonic seizures or partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation; adjunctive treatment of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome |
1995 |
valproic acid |
Convulex |
150 mg
300 mg
500 mg |
All forms of epilepsy |
1993 |
vigabatrin |
Sabril |
500 mg |
Initiated and supervised by appropriate specialist, adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation not satisfactorily controlled with other anti-epileptic drugs; monotherapy for management of infantile spasms (West’s syndrome) |
1973 |
zonisamide |
Zonegran |
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg |
Adjunctive therapy for refractory partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation |
2005 |
last updated April 2008 |