Quick answer
Anti-seizure medicines are chosen by seizure type, age, pregnancy plans, side effects, other medicines, previous response, and review findings. A medicine that suits one person may be wrong for another.
Use this hub to identify the generic medicine on the prescription, prepare focused questions, and recognize side effects that should not wait until the next routine visit.
A-Z medicine FAQ index
Brivaracetam
Aliases: Briviact / Brivastar / Brivataid. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Carbamazepine
Aliases: Tegretol / Tegrital / Zeptol. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Clobazam
Aliases: Lobazam / Cloba / Frisium. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Ethosuximide
Aliases: Zarontin. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Lacosamide
Aliases: Lacoset / Lacosam. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Lamotrigine
Aliases: Lamitor / Lametec. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Levetiracetam
Aliases: Levipil / Levera / Keppra. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Oxcarbazepine
Aliases: Oxetol / Zenoxa. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Perampanel
Aliases: Fycompa / Perampa / Peramnel. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Phenobarbital / phenobarbitone
Aliases: Gardenal / Luminal. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Phenytoin
Aliases: Eptoin / Dilantin. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Topiramate
Aliases: Topamac / Topaz / Topirol. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Valproate and divalproex
Aliases: Encorate / Valparin. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Vigabatrin
Aliases: Sabril. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Zonisamide
Aliases: Zonegran / Zonisep / Zonimid. Read seizure-fit, side effects, warning signs, pregnancy review and follow-up questions.
Rescue medicines are separate
Midazolam, diazepam and selected clonazepam plans are rescue-medicine topics, not daily ASM substitutions. They belong in a written seizure action plan for prolonged seizures, repeated seizures or seizure clusters.
Find by common Indian search name
- Levipil / Levera / Keppra: levetiracetam
- Encorate / Valparin: valproate or divalproex family
- Oxetol / Zenoxa: oxcarbazepine
- Lacoset / Lacosam: lacosamide
- Lamitor / Lametec: lamotrigine
- Lobazam / Cloba / Frisium: clobazam
- Tegretol / Tegrital / Zeptol: carbamazepine
- Eptoin / Dilantin: phenytoin
- Gardenal / Luminal: phenobarbital or phenobarbitone
- Zonegran / Zonisep: zonisamide
- Topamac / Topaz: topiramate
- Fycompa / Perampa: perampanel
- Sabril: vigabatrin
- Zarontin: ethosuximide
When to ask for a medicine review
- Seizures are more frequent, longer, or different from usual
- Pregnancy is planned, possible, or confirmed
- A pharmacy substitution, shortage, cost issue, or formulation change is being suggested
- There is rash, allergic swelling, yellow eyes, severe abdominal pain, severe dizziness, confusion, fainting, mood change, or self-harm talk
- Driving, two-wheelers, school, exams, work at heights, swimming, or travel safety is affected
- A second doctor adds a new medicine, supplement, antibiotic, psychiatric medicine, contraception, anticoagulant, or TB/HIV medicine
Where to read next
Questions families ask in clinic
Start with the generic name written on the prescription or discharge summary. If the name is a brand name, ask the doctor or pharmacist to identify the generic before comparing pages.
No. Brand names are included only because families search by them. Medicine selection and substitution should be guided by the treating team.
No. The index is for education and safer questions. Medicine choice depends on seizure type, age, EEG/MRI findings, pregnancy plans, interactions, side effects and follow-up.
Some anti-seizure medicines have important pregnancy risks, and uncontrolled seizures can also be dangerous. Planning before conception is safer than abrupt changes after pregnancy is discovered.
No. Rescue medicines such as midazolam or diazepam are for selected urgent seizure situations and should follow a written seizure action plan.
Call urgently for severe rash, allergic swelling, breathing difficulty, yellow eyes, severe abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, self-harm thoughts, pregnancy concerns, or seizures that worsen.
Source note
This page is patient education for India-facing epilepsy care. It was reviewed on July 7, 2026. The safety points were checked against:
- WHO antiseizure medicine guidance
- Epilepsy Foundation seizure medicine list
- MedlinePlus drug information
Medicine decisions still depend on the treating neurologist's assessment, seizure type, other medicines, pregnancy plans, and side effects.
Medical disclaimer
This page does not replace a consultation with your treating neurologist. Do not start, stop, switch, or change the timing of any anti-seizure medicine without medical advice. If seizures worsen, side effects are severe, or pregnancy is possible, contact the treating doctor promptly.
