Treatments for epilepsy

This section covers epilepsy treatments, including anti-seizure medications, vagus nerve stimulation, neurosurgery, the ketogenic diet, and more.

It also includes FAQs for parents and carers on antiseizure medications for children.

Key points 

• Epilepsy cannot currently be cured. But, with the right treatment seizures can be reduced, prevented and may stop altogether. 
• There are many ways to treat epilepsy, including anti-seizure medicines (meds), surgery, and diet. Which treatment you have will vary from person-to-person. It also depends on the type of seizures you have. 
• You may have to try a few treatments, or a combination of different treatments, until you find something that works well for you.  
• Even if you feel well and your seizures stop, it’s important to keep taking your meds correctly and safely. Never stop or reduce your meds without talking to your medical team first. 
• Like any treatment, anti-seizure meds come with possible side effects. And surgery for epilepsy also has some risks. It’s important to understand how your treatment may affect you. 
• Your medical team will talk to you about the treatment options that are available and most suitable for you. They will be there to give you help and support. 

What are the main treatment options for epilepsy?  

What treatment you have will vary from person-to-person. It also depends on the type of epilepsy you have. Your doctor will explain the main treatment options to you.  

The main treatment for epilepsy is anti-seizure medications (meds). Other treatments include:  

• Brain surgery (neurosurgery)  
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) 
• Ketogenic diet  
• Cannabis-based anti-seizure medication.

You may have to try a few treatments, or a combination of different treatments, until you find something that works well for you. 

How well do epilepsy treatments work?  

Most people can control and reduce their seizures with the right treatment and support. Anti-seizure meds work very well at controlling seizures. For some people they may help to stop seizures altogether. 

Can epilepsy be cured with treatment?  

Epilepsy cannot currently be cured. But, with the right anti-seizure meds seizures can be reduced, prevented and may stop altogether. If you have not had a seizure for two years, your doctor may suggest stopping or gradually reducing your treatment. Remember to always talk to your doctor before stopping any medication. 

How can I get epilepsy treatments? 

If you’ve had a seizure, or you think you may have had a seizure, it’s important to go to your General Practitioner (GP). They will talk to you about your health and any symptoms you’ve had.  

If you’ve had a seizure, your GP should refer you to a specialist healthcare professional at the hospital. For example, a children’s doctor (paediatrician). You should have an appointment to see them within about two weeks. But it can sometimes take longer. They will talk to you in more detail about your health and may suggest doing some tests. This will help them decide if you have epilepsy. 

If you are diagnosed with epilepsy, your specialist doctor will talk to you about the treatment options. They will work out a treatment plan with you. They will use the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines to help work out which treatments to offer first. You will usually start with one treatment. Your doctor will suggest other options if the first treatment doesn’t work. Or if you have side effects that are difficult to manage. 

Last updated July 2026.

We're currently reviewing this information. The next update will be 2029. If you would like to find out more about how we produce our information, or the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at healthinfo@youngepilepsy.org.uk