Anti-epileptic drug treatment
Everything you need to know about epilepsy treatment. Also a list of all epilepsy medicines, how they affect your bones, how they affect contraception and the Yellow Card Scheme
Other ways of treating epilepsy
Brain surgery, Vagus nerve stimulation, the ketogenic diet and complementary therapies
Getting the same version of your epilepsy medicine every time
Why it’s important to get the same version of your epilepsy medicine, generic prescribing and parallel imports
Effects of other things on epilepsy treatment
Effects of prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines and some juices
Visiting your doctor
Preparing for your appointment
Status epilepticus
Information about what status epilepticus is, why it’s a medical emergency and how to treat it
Emergency treatment for seizures that last a long time
Emergency treatment, individual plans and consent
Getting healthcare in the UK
Healthcare including NICE guidelines and epilepsy specialist nurses
The Epilepsies: You, Epilepsy and the NICE Guideline
Details information from the NICE guidelines
We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
Code:
B004.02
Comments: read the 4 comments or add yours
Comments
i was told i have epilepsy 5 years ago i only have sizures when im asleep. i have been told that it is a disabilty and that i am intiteled to benifets to help me and my partner but i was refused them 3 times and had to take it to a trybrunal and lost although my g,p and nurolagest have both told me thay belive that it is and that im intitled to it is there any help any body can give please.
Hi Ben. In the UK, everyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy is entitled to free prescriptions. That's the only automatic benefit. Any other benefits depend on how severe someone's epilepsy is. So the Benefits Agency would look at things like how many seizures someone has, how often they happen, how long they last, and how long it takes for someone to recover. They would also take into account if someone needs supervision or watching over to keep safe.
Read more about possible benefits.
Shelley
Advice and Information Team
Hi. I was wondering if anybody could help me with a dilemma. I have no idea where or who to start with with this question. I was diagnosed with epilepsy 6 years ago. I am on meds and do not have seizures whilst on them. I work full time. I would like to change my medication so as my partner and I can start planning a family. But ... I wouldn't be able to drive. I live in a rural area so it would be difficult to get to my place of work. Does anybody know if I would be entitled to any help with travel or if I had to leave work with benefits? I would really appreciate any info. X
Hi. If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and you change your epilepsy medicines, your own doctor will advise you how long you may need to stop driving for. You don’t need to inform the DVLA or return your licence. If you live in Northern Ireland, you must stop driving and inform the DVA. Six months after the change over, you need to re-apply to the DVA and they will let you know when you can drive again.
In the UK, people who can’t drive because of their epilepsy are entitled to free or discount bus and rail fares. Some people can apply for help with transport to work through a scheme called Access to Work. You can find information about all of this, and also about organisations that offer benefits advice, on our website: Possible benefits for people with epilepsy
I hope this information helps.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team