Some principles of drug treatment

	Identification of the type of epilepsy is important for correct treatment.
	People with newly diagnosed epilepsy should be treated with one drug at a time.
	The effectiveness of drug treatment should be closely monitored and the drug dose altered as appropriate, in order to achieve complete control of the seizures.
	If complete control of the seizures cannot be achieved, despite appropriate and accurate treatment, the drug regime should be kept as simple as possible (rational therapy). This minimises side effects, reduces chronic toxicity and encourages compliance.
	It is essential for drugs to be taken reliably as prescribed. The exact timing of doses is not crucial but it is wise to take the correct doses at approximately correct time intervals and this is especially important for controlled released tablets.
	One missed dose on a rare occasion is unlikely to be dangerous and result in seizures.
	All drugs can have side effects. As anti-epileptic drugs act on the brain, drowsiness, sedation, nausea and unsteadiness may occur. Sometimes this occurs when the drug is taken for the first time, and normally wears off. These effects may also be experienced if the dose is too high so persistent unwelcome effects should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
	If drugs are taken over a long period, chronic side effects may be experienced. These are not in evitable, and the risk will be minimised by rational therapy. No one should stop taking anti-epileptic drugs abruptly without seeking medical advice.
	First line drugs are those which can be prescribed alone. Second line drugs are usually prescribed as an addition to an existing first line therapy. The table on the previous pages gives average daily dose ranges for adults but it should be understood that treatment may commence with smaller doses and that the most appropriate dose for any individual could be found, during careful monitoring, to be higher than average.