Treatments for epilepsy

This section covers epilepsy treatments, including anti-seizure medications, vagus nerve stimulation, neurosurgery, the ketogenic diet, and more.

It also includes FAQs for parents and carers on antiseizure medications for children.

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Last updated December 2023.

We’re currently reviewing this information. The next update will be 2026. If you would like to find out more about how we produce our information, or the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at healthinfo@youngepilepsy.org.uk

Find out about epilepsy treatments

Anti-seizure medication

Explore anti-seizure medications, their types, side effects, and tips for effective use. Find resources and support for managing epilepsy.

Treating focal onset seizures

Learn about focal onset seizures, their causes, symptoms, and management. Find support and resources for managing this type of epilepsy.

Treating absence seizures

Explore information about anti-seizure medication options for treating absence seizures and co-occurring seizure types with Young Epilepsy’s guidance.

Treating myoclonic seizures

Explore anti-seizure medications for treating myoclonic seizures, including single and add-on options to help manage symptoms effectively.

Nerve stimulation for epilepsy

Learn about vagus and trigeminal nerve stimulation for young people with epilepsy, a treatment for those with frequent, drug-resistant seizures.

Neurosurgery for epilepsy

Explore neurosurgery for epilepsy, its benefits, risks, and procedures. Find support and resources for managing epilepsy through surgical options.

Ketogenic diet for epilepsy

Learn about ketogenic, modified Atkins, and low glycaemic index diets for epilepsy treatment, improving seizure control for some children.

Complementary therapies

Learn about complementary therapies for epilepsy, including homeopathy, aromatherapy, yoga, and more. Doctors do not recommend these treatments.

More information about epilepsy

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Causes of epilepsy

Learn about the causes of epilepsy, including genetic, metabolic, unknown origins, and epilepsy in infants, from Young Epilepsy.

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Epilepsy syndromes

Learn about common childhood and rare infancy epilepsy syndromes in this informative guide from Young Epilepsy.

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Epileptic seizures

Understand epileptic seizures, their types, causes, and management. Find resources and support for living with epilepsy.

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Diagnosing epilepsy

Learn about epilepsy diagnosis, referral, assessments, and the tests used to help identify epilepsy at Young Epilepsy.

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Common co-occurring conditions

Explore common co-occurring conditions with epilepsy, including autism, ADHD, and DCD (dyspraxia), and how they impact children with epilepsy.