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Sodium valproate, commonly prescribed as Epilim (amongst other brand names), is one of the most effective anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for certain seizure types. It is also the ASM with the most significant safety requirements in the UK, particularly around pregnancy, and these have been updated recently. This guide explains the side effects and the current…

Category: Treatments

Topiramate, commonly prescribed by the brand name Topamax (amongst other brand names), is an anti-seizure medication (ASM) used to help control seizures and to prevent migraine. It can be very effective, but it has a distinctive side-effect profile and important safety measures around pregnancy that everyone taking it should understand. This guide is general information…

Category: Treatments

Levetiracetam (brand names Keppra and Desitrend) is a widely used anti-seizure medication (ASM). Common side effects include drowsiness, headaches, a blocked nose, feeling sick, and mood or behaviour changes such as irritability. Most ease as the body adjusts. This article is general information, not medical advice: speak to your prescriber about any concerns, and never…

Category: Treatments

Being referred to a neurologist for the first time after an epilepsy diagnosis can feel daunting. There’s often a lot of information to take in, and it can be easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask. Preparing in advance can help you feel more confident and ensure you leave the appointment with a…

Category: Advice, Treatments

Gene therapy inspires both hope and caution. For families living with severe or treatment resistant epilepsy, the idea of addressing seizures at their genetic root is compelling. This article explains what gene therapy means in epilepsy, who might benefit, where the research has reached and why everyday training still matters. What gene therapy means Gene…

Category: News, Technology, Treatments

The UK is currently grappling with a concerning shortage of crucial medications, and individuals with epilepsy are among those severely affected. This situation has sparked widespread alarm and prompted urgent calls for government intervention. The Scale of the Problem Recent reports indicate that many individuals with epilepsy are struggling to access their prescribed medications. This…

Category: Treatments