Table of anti-epileptic drugs
Your consultant will prescribe the most appropriate drug for you, depending on a number of
factors, including the type of seizures you have. All medication, including anti-epileptic
drugs (AEDs), have side effects, and the following table lists some possible side effects of all
anti-epileptic drugs currently used in the UK. Not everyone who takes AEDs will experience
side effects though.
Please note this table does not replace you seeking specialist medical advice. If you
experience side effects from your drug, talk to your doctor, epilepsy specialist nurse or
consultant. Please also have a look at our factsheet ‘Side effects of anti-epileptic drugs’ for
general information on side effects and how to minimise these.
Name: Generic/brand
acetozolamide/Diamox
Seizure type
tonic-clonic, juvenile
myoclonic, absence,
partial seizures
carbamazepine/
Tegretol/Tegretol Retard
partial or generalised
seizures (but not
absence, myoclonic,
tonic or atonic)
clobazam/Frisium
tonic-clonic, myoclonic
and partial seizures
tonic-clonic, myoclonic
and partial seizures
add-on for partial
seizures, with or
without secondary
generalisation
clonazepam/Rivotril
eslicarbazepine acetate/
Zebinix
helpline: 0808 800 2200
text: 07786 209 501
Possible side effects
headache, lethargy, nausea,
diarrhoea, pins and needles,
dizziness, irritability, depression,
loss of appetite and weight
skin rash, sedation, blurred or
double vision, unsteadiness,
headache, drowsiness and
problems for women, such as,
(but rarely) foetal abnormalities
drowsiness, dizziness, blurred
vision, irritability, depression
drowsiness, sedation, dizziness,
poor co-ordination
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
impaired co-ordination, tremor,
visual problems, tiredness
email: enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Name: Generic/brand
ethosuximide/Emeside/
Zarontin
Seizure type
absence seizures
gabapentin/Neurontin
partial or secondary
generalised (but not
tonic, atonic, absence
or myoclonic)
add-on for partial or
secondary generalised
seizures
lacosamide/Vimpat
lamotrigine/Lamictal
levetiracetam/Keppra/
Desitrend
partial, secondary
generalised, absence,
myoclonic, tonic,
clonic,
and tonic-clonic
seizures
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
oxcarbazepine/
Trileptal
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
perampanel/Fycompa
add-on for partial
seizures with or
without secondary
generalisation
helpline: 0808 800 2200
text: 07786 209 501
Possible side effects
skin rash, drowsiness, headache,
nausea, vomiting, irritability,
dizziness, depression, anxiety
drowsiness, dizziness, blurred
vision, irritability, depression,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
nausea, vomiting, constipation,
dizziness, headache, impaired coordination, drowsiness, tremor,
depression, fatigue, abnormal
walking, blurred vision, eye
movements, itching
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dry
mouth, skin rash, headache,
dizziness, drowsiness, double
vision, insomnia
drowsiness, dizziness, headache,
tremor, nausea, irritability,
insomnia, anorexia, abdominal
pain, vomiting, diarrhoea
skin rash, double vision,
unsteadiness, headache, nausea,
vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea,
confusion
dizziness, sleepiness, loss of or
increased appetite, irritability,
blurred or double vision, vertigo,
nausea, back pain, walking
difficulty, fatigue, weight gain, risk
of falling
email: enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Name: Generic/brand
phenobarbital
Seizure type
tonic-clonic, myoclonic,
atypical absence,
atonic and tonic (avoid
in typical absences)
phenytoin/Epanutin/
Phenytoin Sodium Flynn
Hard Capsules
tonic-clonic, partial
seizures (avoid in
absences and
myoclonic)
piracetam/Nootropil
myoclonic
pregabalin/Lyrica
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
primidone
partial and generalised
seizures (avoid in
typical absences)
rufinamide/Inovelon
Lennox Gastaut
Syndrome
helpline: 0808 800 2200
text: 07786 209 501
Possible side effects
drowsiness, irritability, behavioural
disturbances, low blood pressure,
sedation, mental slowing,
aggression, depression,
behavioural problems in children
skin rash, nausea, vomiting,
constipation, drowsiness,
unsteadiness, slurred speech,
headaches, overgrowth of gums,
coarsening of features, acne-like
symptoms, tremor, dizziness and
hair growth
skin rash, dizziness, insomnia,
nausea, diarrhoea, weight gain,
depression, drowsiness, agitation
and excessive movement
dizziness, drowsiness, blurred or
double vision, mood changes,
weight gain, concentration
difficulties, dry mouth,
constipation, vomiting, wind,
memory impairment
hepatitis, low blood pressure,
drowsiness, lethargy, depression,
unsteadiness, impaired memory or
cognition, nausea, and visual
disturbances
dizziness, sleepiness, headache,
nausea, sickness, constipation,
diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight
loss, anorexia, anxiety and
insomnia
email: enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk
Name: Generic/brand
sodium valproate/
Epilim/Epilim Chrono
Seizure type
generalised, partial
seizures
stiripentol/Diacomit
add-on therapy for
tonic clonic seizures in
severe myoclonic
epilepsy in infancy
(SMEI or Dravet
syndrome)
tiagabine/
Gabitril
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
(avoid in absence,
myoclonic, tonic and
atonic seizures)
topiramate/Topamax
tonic-clonic,
myoclonic, partial,
secondary generalised
seizures
vigabatrin/Sabril
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
(may worsen absence,
myoclonic, tonic, and
atonic seizures)
zonisamide/Zonegran
partial, secondary
generalised seizures
helpline: 0808 800 2200
text: 07786 209 501
Possible side effects
skin rash, sedation, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss
(regrowth may be curly), weight
gain, tremor, irregular menstrual
cycle, foetal abnormalities
nausea, vomiting, aggression,
anorexia, unsteadiness,
drowsiness, muscle contractions,
excitability, overactive
restlessness, low muscle tone,
irritability, sleep problems, weight
loss, reduced immunity
dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness,
diarrhoea, headache, tremor,
anxiety, depression, confusion,
dizziness, tiredness, impaired
concentration, mood swings,
speech impairment
dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, poor
memory, mental slowing, weight
loss, headache, pins and needles,
tremor, nausea, diarrhoea,
vomiting, constipation, abdominal
pain
drowsiness, headache, fatigue,
weight gain, depression, agitation,
confusion, visual disturbance,
peripheral vision damage
dizziness, rash, impaired memory
and attention, drowsiness, nausea,
diarrhoea, confusion, weight loss,
stomach pain
email: enquiries@epilepsyscotland.org.uk