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Treatment

doctor talking to their patient.

In most cases epilepsy is treated with medication. Over the past decades new medications for epilepsy have become available which allow many people with epilepsy to live virtually seizure-free lives. However, many medications are likely to be most effective in controlling only certain types of epilepsy.  Treatment decisions start with knowing the kind of epilepsy the person has. Your doctor will choose a medication best suited to your type of epilepsy.

Most people with epilepsy can look forward to becoming free of seizures. With Anti-Seizure Medication treatment, up to 70% of people living with epilepsy can become seizure free if the right treatment is identified. A small number benefit from epilepsy surgery which, in some cases, can manage the condition completely.

However, for up to 30% of people with epilepsy, seizures are difficult to control despite treatment. Seizures by their nature can pose risks to a person's safety. The best way to lower your safety risk is to get the best control possible of your seizures. Getting a diagnosis of epilepsy is the first step. Working with your medical team to find the right treatment for you is the next stage. Regular follow-up with your medical team is important too.

This section of our website will delve further into all the above with information on a key range of topics related to the treatment of epilepsy, and approaches which may be taken to treating your epilepsy. 

Alongside the information contained within this section of our website, we also have a comprehensive booklet available entitled 'Epilepsy Treatment'. This resource is available to read and download at the end of this page. 

If you need further information or support after reading this section of our website, please do not hesitate to contact your local Community Resource Officer. You can find their details by visiting the 'Our Local Service' section of our website.

Downloadable Resources