Practical information for patients with epilepsy
Ask the patient to keep a seizure diary. As some people are unaware of their seizures, their carers may need to do this.
Warn patients that abruptly stopping antiepileptic drugs can provoke status epilepticus.
Advise patients that seizures can be provoked by sleep deprivation, excessive alcohol intake, illegal stimulants and psychological stress. Some drugs provoke seizures. Advise patients with epilepsy to check with a healthcare professional before taking nonprescribed medicines (eg over-the-counter, alternative or complementary medicines). Healthcare professionals must consult an appropriate text on drug interactions when prescribing for patients taking antiepileptic drugs.
Counsel patients to avoid situations in which a seizure may be especially dangerous (eg unsupervised swimming or bathing, climbing, operating machinery).
Advise drivers with epilepsy that they:
- have a legal obligation to report the condition to the driver licensing authority in their state or territory
- should not drive until deemed fit by the licensing authority.
In South Australia and the Northern Territory, it is mandatory for doctors to report drivers with epilepsy to the licensing authority. National standards of fitness to drive are available1.
Patients with an established pattern of prolonged or repetitive seizures need a management plan for their carers.
See advice on contraception and pregnancy for females with epilepsy.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) typically affects 1 in 4500 children with epilepsy in 1 year, and 1 in 1000 adults with epilepsy in 1 year2. Freedom from seizures, especially from generalised tonic-clonic seizures, is strongly associated with lower risk of SUDEP.