Managing your anti-seizure medication prescription

Keeping on top of your anti-seizure medication prescription 

It can be hard keeping on top of your prescriptions. And making sure you always have your anti-seizure medication (meds) ready when you need them. It may feel overwhelming juggling your meds, especially if you’re busy with other day-to-day activities. For example, school, work and your social life.  

But it’s important to stick with your meds. Always take them correctly and at the right time. Being organised with your prescriptions, will help you feel confident and in control of your health.  

If you’re struggling with your prescriptions, try talking to your family or friends. Ask for help when you need it. Your doctor, nurse or a pharmacist are all there to help and support you.

Free prescription meds 

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and are registered with a GP you can have free prescriptions. 

If you live in England, you get free prescriptions if you’re under 16. You also get free prescriptions if you’re aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education.  

You can also have free prescriptions if you take anti-seizure meds. 

To get your prescriptions for free, you’ll need to apply for a medical exemption certificate. You only need to do this if you live in England. This looks a bit like a credit card, which you can keep with you in your wallet or purse.  Show the card to pharmacy staff when you go to collect your meds. Or, if you use an online pharmacy, put in the exemption certificate details at the registration or checkout stage. 

A medical exemption certificate needs to be renewed every five years. It’s your job to make sure you renew it. Set a reminder in your phone so you don’t forget when the certificate expires. 

Check if you can get your prescription meds for free and apply for a medical exemption certificate on the NHS website. Or if you have any questions, ask your nurse, doctor or a pharmacist for help.

Why have I been given a different version of my anti-seizure medication? 

Sometimes, you may be given a different version of your usual anti-seizure meds. This can happen for different reasons. For example, cost to the NHS and supply problems.  

If your meds are swapped, the active ingredient in the medication should be the same. But sometimes there may be other ingredients too which could cause you to react differently. Most people don’t experience any changes if they take a different version of their meds. But for some people having a different version may cause more seizures or side effects.  

If your medication has been swapped, your doctor or pharmacist should explain the change to you. If they don’t, or you’re not sure why your meds have been swapped, don’t be afraid to ask them. 

Talking to your doctor or pharmacist about your meds 

If your meds have been swapped, either the brand or the way that you take them (for example, tablet or capsule), it’s important that you understand the reasons why.  

Remember, health professionals are there to help and support you. They want you to feel confident with your meds. If you’re worried or have questions about why your meds have been changed, don’t be afraid to ask them what has happened. Ask them anything you’re not sure about, no matter how big or small.  

Try starting a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist by asking questions like: 

• Why have I been given a different med? 
• How is this med different from my usual meds? 
• Is the active ingredient in this med the same as my usual meds? 
• Are there any other ingredients in this med that could cause side effects? 
• How do I take this med? 
• Is the dose the same? 
• Will I go back to my usual med? If so, when? 

If you don’t feel confident talking to a doctor or pharmacist on your own, ask a parent, carer or friend to go with you. Use the notes section in your phone to write down any notes so you don’t forget. And remember, if you’re still not sure, or you’re worried about why your meds have been changed, talk to your doctor again.

What anti-seizure medications should not be swapped? 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) has advice for health professionals who give out anti-seizure meds to people with epilepsy.  The advice groups anti-seizure meds into three categories, these include: 

Meds in category one, which should not be swapped for another version, include: 

• Carbamazepine 
• Phenobarbital 
• Phenytoin 
• Primidone. 

Talk to your doctor about which category your usual meds are in. They will be able to explain if swapping to a different version is safe for you. 

 What can I do if my anti-seizure medication is unavailable? 

If your usual anti-seizure meds are out of stock at a pharmacy, you can ask them when they will be available, or if another branch has the medication. You can also ask the pharmacist for your prescription back and try taking it to another pharmacy.² A different pharmacy might have your meds in stock. You can phone the pharmacy to ask, or some have online stock checkers you can use, for example: 

Boots pharmacy | Online Prescription stock checker. 

If your meds are out of stock in most pharmacies, this is sometimes called a national medication shortage. If this happens, it may be safer to take a different version than run out completely. But check with your doctor first. Or talk to them if you’re worried about taking a different version of your meds.  

For the latest information on epilepsy medicine shortages and changes, check out:

Drugwatch Archives - Epilepsy Action. 

Sometimes, you may also have to take your meds in a different form. For example, you may be prescribed a tablet instead of a capsule. Taking your meds in a different way may take a bit of time to get used to. Especially if you’ve been taking them a certain way for a while. If you’ve been given your meds in a different form, but you’re having problems or finding them hard to get used to, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

How can I make sure I don’t run out of my anti-seizure medication? 

Setting up a repeat prescription will help make sure you never run out of the meds you need. If you keep on top of requesting and collecting your prescriptions, you shouldn’t run out. You also shouldn’t need to keep a big supply of meds at home (stockpiling).  

Set reminders on your phone to help you remember when to re-order your prescription. Don’t forget that you might need to give yourself more time to request or collect your prescription at busy times. For example, on bank holidays. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist if you need help keeping on top of your prescriptions.

How can I get an emergency prescription? 

Be prepared and know what to do if you run out of meds and need to get an emergency prescription. NHS 111 have an emergency online prescription service. You’ll need to answer some questions, including where you are and when you are due to take your meds. This will help them tell you the best way to get them. 

Other useful organisations 

Medicines for Children 

www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk 

Information and support for children and their family about how children can take medication safely 

NHS website 

www.nhs.uk 

Information about prescriptions and medications. 

NICE website 

www.nice.org.uk 

Up-to-date guidelines for children and young people with epilepsy.