Epilepsy Ireland are proud to support #MedSafetyWeek.
The annual weeklong campaign is co-ordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland and aims to increase knowledge amongst the public and patients on how to report suspected side-effects from a medication or vaccine which they have been prescribed or taken.
All medications and vaccines carry risk and potential side-effects and many people with epilepsy will report experiencing side-effects from their prescribed anti-epileptic drugs.
It is crucial that these side-effects are reported to the HPRA as this helps ensure that medicines on the market are as safe as possible and that patients have full information about the medication that they are taking.
You can report a suspected side effect in several ways:
- By speaking to your doctor or pharmacist who can then notify the To your doctor, pharmacist or nurse who can then notify the HPRA.
- By filling out the online form on the HPRA website.
- By downloading a copy of the adverse reaction report from the HRPA, completing, and emailing to medsafety@hpra.ie
- By printing the adverse reaction report form from the HPRA and posting a completed copy to the HPRA to Freepost, Pharmacovigilance Section, Health Products Regulatory Authority, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 XP77
- By calling the HPRA on (01) 676 4971.
We encourage all our members and service users to report any side-effects experienced, whether in relation to epilepsy medications, vaccines or any other medications taken.
We know that managing side-effects alongside epilepsy can be a difficult process. Given the individual nature of epilepsy, it is also difficult to predict how impactful potential side-effects from medications can be on an individual. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Community Resource Officer should you require any advice or support with your or your family member’s epilepsy. You can also download our Epilepsy Treatment booklet for further information on side-effects.