Stopping Medicine for Epilepsy

← Back to Library

Stopping Medicine for Epilepsy

If you haven't had a seizure in several years, you may ask your doctor if you can slowly stop or reduce your medicine. You and your doctor will need to weigh the benefits of stopping treatment against the risk that your seizures may return.

You have a lower risk of having a seizure after you stop medicine if:

  • You haven't had a seizure in 2 years or more.
  • You have only one type of seizure. (An exception is myoclonic seizures, which usually require lifelong treatment.)
  • Your epilepsy started when you were a child or teen.
  • You had only a few seizures before starting treatment.
  • Your seizures were easy to control with initial drug therapy using only one medicine.
  • Your electroencephalogram (EEG) is consistently normal.
  • Brain scans (MRI or CT scan) don't show any problems.
  • You have a type of epilepsy that tends to go away (remit), such as self-limited focal epilepsy in childhood.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: December 3, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Explore the Full Health and Wellness Library

Looking for easy to understand information you can trust? The health and wellness content is created and reviewed by clinicians to ensure accuracy. We suggest you use this resource as research for conversations with your doctor or those you care about.

Explore the Library

Community and Health Events

We regularly host free events to help you stay informed, connected, and inspired. We offer local in-person gatherings and virtual sessions you can attend from the comfort of home. View our calendar for all upcoming events.

Explore all Events