
HOW TO TREAT EPILEPSY
ABOUT ANTI-SEIZURE MEDICATION
Epilepsy medications don't cure epilepsy, but they can reduce how often seizures occur, and can stop seizures completely in many people. There are approximately 30 different medications available for epilepsy treatment. The kind of medication right for a particular person depends on their epilepsy type, age and gender, use of other medications, other medical conditions, and a number of additional factors. People with epilepsy need to work closely with their physician to choose the right medication. Many of our newer medications may control seizures with fewer side-effects than some of our older medications. Again, response to the seizure medication is very individually based
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Many epilepsy medications are available as generics, which can greatly reduce the cost of treatment. For most people, generic epilepsy medications work just as well as name-brand medications at a fraction of the cost. It is of importance to try to use the same brand of generic medicine each time, as there is variation from brand to brand. A few people may require name-brand medications to properly control seizures. It is important to take medication as prescribed. A physician or pharmacist should advise on whether a medication should be taken with food, what to do in the event of a missed dose, and how the medication should be stored.
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TREATMENTS OTHER THAN MEDICATION
Other treatments are sometimes used when medications do not adequately control seizures. Brain surgery is sometimes performed when seizures cannot be controlled with medication. In addition, there are several types of brain stimulation devices, including vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation, which may also help reduce seizures.
Certain special high-fat diets, including the ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet and low-glycemic diet, are occasionally used, especially with children, for hard-to-control seizures,​