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. Other effects, such as a rash, are an unusual result of an allergy.
Some drugs can cause long-term changes such as gum swelling or unsteadiness.
Always report any side-effects to your doctor. AEDs and pregnancy AEDs will not interfere with a woman's ability to become pregnant but most, unfortunately, do carry a small risk of malformation in new-born babies. Nevertheless, there is a greater than 95 per cent chance that the pregnancy will be fine and that the baby will be perfectly healthy. Women with epilepsy may be advised to take a higher than normal supplement of folic acid, but issues like this should be covered by pre-conception counselling. It is hoped that the newer AEDs will pose fewer problems for women with epilepsy.