Many side effects can be avoided by starting the medication at a low dose and increasing it slowly. As anti-epileptic drugs act on the brain, drowsiness, sedation, nausea and unsteadiness may occur. Sometimes this occurs when the drug is taken for the first time, and normally wears off after a few days. The effects may also be experienced if the dosage is too high, so persistent unwelcome effects should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Some people can have an allergic reaction to their medication.
Allergic reactions can be serious.
A skin rash is commonly the first sign of an allergic reaction and should be reported to the doctor for advice, without delay. If drugs are taken over a long period, chronic side effects may be experienced. These are not inevitable, and the risk will be minimised by keeping the drug therapy as simple as possible. No one should stop taking anti-epileptic drugs abruptly without seeking medical advice or take extra medication unless instructed to do so. The risks of this need to be considered carefully for each individual and weighed against the risks of their epilepsy.