Treatment

• Epileptic seizures are treated with anticonvulsant medications to reduce the frequency of seizures. There are different types of anticonvulsants used to treat certain types of epilepsy. A patient's medical history is taken into consideration before she is prescribed a certain type of anticonvulsant.
  
  

Quality of Treatment

• The best scenario for epileptic treatment is to use a single agent, or anticonvulsant, as a form of prescribed medication. When a combination of medications is used, the patient will see an increased risk for side effects. It will also make it difficult for patients to take medications appropriately. If one type of anticonvulsant is not effective, another one will be tried. Generally, most treatments for seizures are effective. According to the online Merck Manual Home Edition, seizures are prevented in a third of the people taking anticonvulsants, while another third see a lessening in frequency of epileptic attacks. In all, at least two-thirds of people treated for seizures stop taking medication without experiencing a relapse.
  Treatments for epileptic seizures are effective as long as the medication is taken consistently. Even one missed dose can increase the risk for a seizure. Side effects are common, but the best treatment usually involves the smallest doses with the least side effects. After a patient takes anticonvulsants for two years and remains seizure-free, he can be taken off the medication.
  
  

Side Effects

• Side effects from anticonvulsant include drowsiness, hyperactivity in children, impairments to the liver or kidney, and a decrease in the amount of blood cells. Anticonvulsant drugs can lead to increased risks of miscarriages or birth defects in babies, though epilepsy itself can also be fatal for both pregnant mothers and fetuses. Women of childbearing age should take folate supplements to reduce the risk of birth defects.
  
  

General Treatment and Preventative Measures

• Other treatments include exercise and involvement in social activities, and eliminating or limiting alcohol and recreational drug consumption. Activities that present dangers during seizures, such as bathing in bathtubs, climbing and swimming, should be avoided entirely. Epileptics should also wear Medic bracelets, since the information included on Medic bracelets will be useful to emergency and health care personnel in case of serious injuries resulting from seizures.