Brand names: Trileptal
Used for: Partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Headache
Drowsiness
Agitation
Impaired concentration
Tremor
Rash
Visual disturbances
Preparations: Tablets, liquid.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 300 mg twice daily increasing slowly. Typical
dose is 600-
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK over the age of 6 and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Phenobarbital
Used for: Status epilepticus and all forms of epilepsy other than absence seizures.
Possible Side Effects:
Lethargy
Depression
Skin reactions
Preparations: Tablets, liquid, injection.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: 60-
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names:
Phenytoin, Epanutin.
Used for: All forms of epilepsy other than absence seizures.
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Confusion
Slurred speech
Insomnia
Headache
Preparations: Tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, liquid.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: initially 150-
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Nootropil.
Used for: Myoclonic seizures.
Possible Side Effects:
Diarrhoea
Weight gain
Insomnia
Nervousness
Depression
Rash
Preparations: Tablets, oral solution.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 7200 mg per day in divided doses increased according to response to a maximum of 20000 mg per day.
Children: This drug is not licensed for children in the UK.
Brand names: Lyrica.
Used for: Partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.
Possible Side Effects:
Drowsiness
Mood changes
Dizziness
Visual disturbances
Weight gain
Preparations: Capsules.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 300 mg per day gradually increased to a normal maximum dose of 600 mg per day.
Children: This drug is not licensed for children in the UK.
Brand names: Mysoline.
Used for: All types of epilepsy except absence seizures.
Possible Side Effects:
Drowsiness
Nausea
Visual disturbances
Rash
Preparations: Tablets.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: 125 mg at night initially, gradually increasing to a maximum dose of 1500 mg per day in divided doses.
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Epilim, Epilim Chrono, Convulex.
Used for: All types of epilepsy.
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea
Tremor
Weight gain
Gastric irritation
Hair loss
Irregular menstruation
Oedema
Tiredness
Brand names: Gabitril.
Used for: Adjunctive therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.
Possible Side Effects:
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Nervousness
Tremor
Difficulty in concentrating
Speech problems
Preparations: Tablets.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initial doses and maintenance doses are dependant on other drugs being taken.
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK but not recommended for children under the age of 12, the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Topamax
Used for: Adjunctive treatment for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation,
seizures associated with Lennox-
Possible Side Effects:
Stomach pain
Nausea
Weight loss
Confusion
Speech impairment
Mood swings
Impaired memory
Preparations: Tablets, capsules.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 25 mg per day gradually increasing to a normal
maintenance dose of 200-
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Sabril.
Used for: Adjunctive treatment for partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.
Possible Side Effects:
Drowsiness
Visual defects
Dizziness
Irritability
Excitation
Depression
Tremor
Preparations: Tablets, powder.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 1000 mg per day gradually increased according
to response to a normal dose of 2000-
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
Brand names: Zonegran.
Used for: Partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.
Possible Side Effects:
Dizziness
Weight loss
Preparations: Capsules.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initially 300 mg per day gradually increased to a maximum normal dose of 500 mg per day.
Children: This drug is not licensed for children in the UK.
Preparations: Tablets, liquid, injection, capsules.
Adult Dosage Range: Orally: Initial dose is 600 mg per day in divided doses increasing
to a normal maintenance dose of 1000-
Intravenous injection: maximum dose 2500 mg per day, only used when oral dosage not possible.
Children: This drug is licensed for children in the UK and the dosage will be adjusted according to age, weight and response to treatment.
