All AEDs can cause side-effects but not in everybody, so it can be worthwhile chopping and changing until the best treatment is found. If your medication suits you, you should continue on it even if it is one of the older drugs and people tell you that newer drugs are better. Your doctor will help you achieve the best seizure control with the least side-effects. Some others respond to a combination of two or sometimes three drugs. Unfortunately, around 20 per cent of people still have seizures that are resistant to all currently available drugs.
All effective drugs have side-effects, some of which can sound most alarming.
Your doctor or pharmacist may give you a leaflet listing side-effects. Do not be concerned as AEDs are largely very safe. Many side-effects are closely related to the way in which the drug affects the nervous system, eg dizziness, headache, nausea etc. These can occur in everyone if the dose is increased too much or too rapidly and should disappear once the dose is adjusted. Tiredness and poor memory can be a consequence of treatment with some of the older drugs.