Epilepsy Treatments

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to:

Treat the underlying cause (if know)
Prevent seizures—may be done through medication, surgery, or special therapies
Avoid factors that stimulate seizure activity

Anti-epileptic Medications

There are a wide variety of medications that may be used. Some of these include:

Phenytoin
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Carbamazepine
- Certain patients of Asian ancestry may be at risk for dangerous or even fatal skin reactions with this drug. If you are of Asian descent, the FDA recommends that you get tested before taking this drug. If you have been taking it for a few months with no skin reactions, then you are at low risk. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medication. *
Valproic acid
Divalproex
Levetiracetam
Gabapentin
Phenobarbital
Ethosuximide
Clonazepam
Primidone
Oxcarbazepine
Lamotrigine
Topiramate
Felbamate
Tiagabine
Zonisamide

These drugs may be given alone or in combination.

Surgery

If medicine does not work or the side effects are too severe, surgery may be advised. Surgery involves the removal of the seizure focus. This is the area of the brain that has been identified as starting the seizure. Surgery is only an option for individuals who have very localized areas of the brain involved.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

A device is implanted in the chest. It will provide intermittent electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. It is not clear how this works. Somehow it prevents or decreases the frequency of seizures. You may still require medications. The dosage may be less.

Ketogenic Diet

This is a very strict diet. It is high in fat and low in carbohydrates and proteins. This diet keeps the body’s chemical balance in ketosis. Ketosis decreases the frequency of seizures. The reason is unknown. Following a ketogenic diet is most successful in children. It is less successful in adults.

Modification of Activity

If you have a seizure disorder, you can take the following steps to try to decrease the chance of a seizure:

Get enough sleep.
Avoid hyperventilating.
Avoid places where flashing or strobe lights are in use.
Wear a medical alert bracelet. That way, if you have a seizure, people around you will understand what is happening. They will be able to take appropriate steps to be helpful.
Consider keeping a seizure log. Record things that were happening around the time of a seizure. This will help to identify a seizure trigger.
Take your seizure medications according to the prescription.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.