Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the most common treatment for people living with epilepsy. This is often called ‘first line treatment’. Up to 70% of people living with epilepsy experience good seizure control through appropriate use of medication.
While ASMs will not cure epilepsy, they can help to control or minimise seizure activity. ASMs are a preventative medication taken daily in an attempt to stop seizures from occurring. Put simply, ASMs work to reduce the excessive electrical activity in the brain which causes seizures.
There are many different types of ASMs available, and sometimes it may take your doctor time to determine the best ASM for you. If the use of one ASM doesn’t provide you with an optimal outcome, your doctor may prescribe an alternative ASM or a combination of different ones. Taking one ASM is called ‘monotherapy’ and the use of a combination of medications is called ‘polytherapy’. The aim is to achieve optimal seizure control using the most appropriate medication with the fewest side effects.
More Information
If you want to find out more about your anti-seizure medication find out here.