CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. There are many
different types of seizures with different symptoms. Medicines can help to
prevent seizures. Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice about medicines
for epilepsy.
A seizure is caused by a disturbance • lack of sleep
in the normal pattern of electrical • stress
activity in the brain. This can cause
• menstruation (periods)
brief changes in thoughts, feelings,
sensations, movements, behaviour or • missing meals
awareness (consciousness). Seizures • flickering lights (e.g. TV, computer
can last from a few seconds to a few games)
minutes. Not everyone who has a • illness, fever
seizure has epilepsy. A person with • extreme temperature changes
epilepsy has repeated seizures.
• alcohol
Causes of epilepsy • caffeine
• some medicines
Epilepsy may start at any age. It can be
inherited (passed on) through families, • illegal drugs
and can also be caused by anything that • changes to epilepsy medicines.
damages the brain (e.g. head injury,
brain infection, stroke, Alzheimer’s Types of seizures
disease). For many people, no cause can There are three main classes of
be found. seizures - focal (partial) seizures,
generalised seizures and other seizures.
Triggers for seizures Focal seizures are the most common.
Some things can trigger (set off )
a seizure, such as:
Focal (partial) seizures
Focal seizures start in an area on one
side of the brain and may spread to
other areas. These seizures usually last
for 1-2 minutes. A focal seizure can
become a generalised seizure. There are
two types of focal seizure.
• Focal seizure with awareness
(was called simple partial seizure).
You may feel, hear, see, smell, or
taste odd sensations, or have muscle
jerks, but you are aware of what is
happening.
• Focal seizure with altered awareness
(was called complex partial seizure).
Your awareness changes and you
become vague or confused. You may
also behave strangely (e.g. fiddling or
chewing). After the seizure, you may
be confused and drowsy, and may
not remember the seizure.
Generalised seizures
Generalised seizures affect both sides
of the brain. There are several types
of generalised seizures. Two common
types are:
• Absence seizure (was called petit
mal). You lose awareness and
suddenly ‘go blank’ or stare for a few
seconds. Your eyes may roll back,
your eyelids may flutter, or your
face may twitch. Absence seizures
often begin in childhood and can
be mistaken for daydreaming. Most
people recover immediately and do
not remember the seizure.
• Tonic-clonic seizure (was called
grand mal). Tonic-clonic seizures are
also called convulsions or fits. You
suddenly lose awareness and your
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whole body goes stiff (tonic phase).
If standing, you will fall. Then your
body shakes or jerks due to repeated
muscle contractions (clonic phase).
You may groan, go blue in the face,
bite your tongue and dribble. Your
eyes may roll back and you may
lose bladder and/or bowel control.
These seizures generally last for 1-3
minutes. Afterwards, you may be
confused and drowsy, and may not
remember the seizure.
Medicines
Medicines cannot cure epilepsy,
but can help to prevent seizures. Ask
a doctor or pharmacist for advice
about epilepsy medicines (called
anticonvulsants).
• Different types of epilepsy may need
different epilepsy medicines.
• Epilepsy medicines must be taken
exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Changing to a different brand of
medicine may trigger seizures.
• Missing doses or suddenly stopping
medicines may trigger seizures.
• Epilepsy medicines can cause side
effects. Ask your doctor for medicines
that are suitable for you.
• Alcohol and some medicines can
change the effects of epilepsy
medicines.
• Some epilepsy medicines can change
the effects of other medicines
(e.g. the effectiveness of the oral
contraceptive pill can be reduced).
• Illness, diarrhoea and vomiting
can change the effects of epilepsy
medicines.
• People who have been free of
seizures for a few years may be able
to stop their epilepsy medicines.
Self care
Ways to help manage epilepsy:
• Learn about the type of epilepsy
you have.
• Keep a record of your seizures and
their triggers.
• Try to avoid things that trigger
your seizures.
• Get enough sleep.
• Learn and use relaxation techniques
to manage stress.
• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. tea, coffee, cola,
energy drinks).
• Tell your doctor if you plan to get
pregnant. Your epilepsy medicines
may need to be changed and you will
need to take folic acid tablets.
• Make your home and workplace
safe for seizures (e.g. don’t lock the
bathroom door).
• Have showers instead of baths.
• Use good lighting when you watch
TV or use a computer, and take
frequent breaks.
• Always swim with other people.
Wear a life jacket for water sports.
• Wear a helmet when doing activities
with a risk of head injury.
• Wear a bracelet or necklace
(e.g. MedicAlert bracelet) that says
you have epilepsy.
• Teach others how to help if you have
a seizure.
© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
Important
• Get medical advice if you have a seizure
for the first time, you keep having
seizures or your seizures change.
• Do not stop epilepsy medicines
suddenly. Check with your doctor first.
• Do not change brands of epilepsy
medicines unless your doctor agrees.
Check with your doctor first.
• The risk of seizures can make some
activities dangerous. Australia has laws
about driving with epilepsy. Discuss
with your doctor.
First aid for seizures
• Stay with the person.
• Do not move them unless they are in
danger.
• Protect them from injury (e.g. put
something soft under their head).
• Do not try to restrain them.
• Do not put anything in their mouth.
• Time the seizure.
• Roll them onto their side (recovery
position) after jerking stops,
or immediately if there is fluid, food or
vomit in their mouth.
• Keep checking their breathing.
• Let the person rest after the seizure.
• Manage any injuries from the seizure.
Phone triple zero (000) for an ambulance if:
• seizure continues for more than
5 minutes
• another seizure quickly follows
• person is not conscious (awake) within
5 minutes of the seizure stopping
• person is injured or cannot breathe
properly
• seizure occurs in water
• person is pregnant or has diabetes
• you think it is the person’s first seizure.
For more information Related Fact Cards
Epilepsy Australia Alcohol
National Help Line First aid in the home
Phone: 1300 852 853
Contraceptives
Website: www.epilepsyaustralia.net
Relaxation techniques
Epilepsy Action Australia
Phone: 1300 37 45 37 (1300 EPILEPSY)
Website: www.epilepsy.org.au
Healthdirect Australia
Phone: 1800 022 222
Website: www.healthdirect.gov.au
NPS MedicineWise
Medicines Line
Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
Website: www.nps.org.au
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
Your pharmacist can advise on CMI
leaflets
Poisons Information Centre
In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26 from
anywhere in Australia
Pharmacists are medicines experts.
Ask a pharmacist for advice when
choosing a medicine.

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This card was current at the time of publication.
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