What are some of the main medical treatments for epilepsy?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Anti-seizure drugs (e.g., phenytoin, lamotrigine) are the first-line treatment for epilepsy. However, some patients with epilepsy cannot tolerate the side effects of medications, and for about one-third of patients, medications do not work. If medications do not improve symptoms or aren’t tolerated, other treatments like surgery, neurostimulation, or dietary changes may also be tried.[1]

    References

    1. ^Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Public Health Dimensions of the EpilepsiesrEpilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding