5 Treating epileptic seizures in children, young people and adults

5.1 Generalised tonic-clonic seizures

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

Monotherapy

5.1.1

Offer sodium valproate as first-line monotherapy for generalised tonic-clonic seizures in:

  • boys and men

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.1.2

Offer lamotrigine or levetiracetam as first-line monotherapy for generalised tonic-clonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children). If the first choice is unsuccessful, offer the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 13 years and levetiracetam in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.1.3

If first-line monotherapy with sodium valproate is unsuccessful for generalised tonic-clonic seizures, offer lamotrigine or levetiracetam as second-line monotherapy treatment. If the first choice is unsuccessful, try the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 13 years and levetiracetam in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.1.4

Do not offer sodium valproate monotherapy for generalised tonic-clonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

Add-on treatment

For guidance on safe prescribing and managing withdrawal of clobazam in adults, see NICE's guideline on medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms.

5.1.5

If monotherapy is unsuccessful in people with generalised tonic-clonic seizures, consider 1 of the following first-line add-on treatment options:

  • clobazam

  • lamotrigine

  • levetiracetam

  • perampanel

  • sodium valproate, except in women and girls able to have children

  • topiramate.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other first-line add-on options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses of clobazam as add-on therapy in children under 6 months, lamotrigine in children under 2 years, levetiracetam in children under 12 years, perampanel in children under 7 years, and topiramate in children under 2 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.1.6

If first-line add-on treatments tried are unsuccessful in people with generalised tonic-clonic seizures, consider 1 of the following second-line add-on treatment options:

  • brivaracetam

  • lacosamide

  • phenobarbital

  • primidone

  • zonisamide.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other second-line add-on options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses of brivaracetam in adults and children, lacosamide in children under 4 years, and zonisamide in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.1.7

Do not offer sodium valproate as an add-on treatment for generalised tonic-clonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

Other treatment considerations

5.1.8

Be aware that the following antiseizure medications may exacerbate seizures in people with absence or myoclonic seizures, including in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy:

  • carbamazepine

  • gabapentin

  • lamotrigine (for myoclonic seizures)

  • oxcarbazepine

  • phenytoin

  • pregabalin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on generalised tonic-clonic seizures.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in:

5.2 Focal seizures with or without evolution to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

Monotherapy

5.2.1

Consider lamotrigine or levetiracetam as first-line monotherapy for people with focal seizures. If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 13 years, and levetiracetam in children and young people under 16 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.2.2

If first-line monotherapies are unsuccessful in people with focal seizures, consider 1 of the following second-line monotherapy options:

  • carbamazepine

  • oxcarbazepine

  • zonisamide.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other second-line monotherapy options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses of oxcarbazepine in children under 6 years, and zonisamide in children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.2.3

If second-line monotherapies tried are unsuccessful in people with focal seizures, consider lacosamide as third-line monotherapy.

In April 2022, this was an off-label use of lacosamide in children under 4 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

Add-on treatment

For guidance on safe prescribing of pregabalin in adults, see NICE's guideline on medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms.

5.2.4

If monotherapy is unsuccessful in people with focal seizures, consider 1 of the following first-line add-on treatment options:

  • carbamazepine

  • lacosamide

  • lamotrigine

  • levetiracetam

  • oxcarbazepine

  • topiramate

  • zonisamide.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other first-line add-on options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lacosamide in children under 4 years, lamotrigine in children under 2 years, levetiracetam in children under 4 years, oxcarbazepine in children under 6 years, topiramate in children under 2 years, and zonisamide in children under 6 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.2.5

If first-line add-on treatments tried are unsuccessful in people with focal seizures, consider 1 of the following second-line add-on treatment options:

5.2.6

If second-line add-on treatments tried are unsuccessful in people with focal seizures, consider 1 of the following third-line add-on treatment options:

  • phenobarbital

  • phenytoin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other third-line add-on options.

    In April 2022, this was an off-label use of tiagabine in children under 12 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.2.7

Do not offer sodium valproate as an add-on treatment for focal seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on focal seizures with or without evolution to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in:

5.3 Absence seizures

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

Absence seizures (including childhood absence epilepsy)

5.3.1

Offer ethosuximide as first-line treatment for absence seizures.

5.3.2

If first-line treatment is unsuccessful, offer sodium valproate as second-line monotherapy or add-on treatment for absence seizures in:

  • boys of all ages

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.3.3

If second-line treatment is unsuccessful for absence seizures, consider lamotrigine or levetiracetam as a third-line monotherapy or add-on treatment options. If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 2 years and levetiracetam in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.3.4

Be aware that the following antiseizure medications may exacerbate seizures in people with absence seizures:

  • carbamazepine

  • gabapentin

  • oxcarbazepine

  • phenobarbital

  • phenytoin

  • pregabalin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

Absence seizures with other seizure types

5.3.5

Consider sodium valproate as first-line treatment for absence seizures with other seizure types (or at risk of these) in:

  • boys and men

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.3.6

Consider lamotrigine or levetiracetam as first-line treatment options in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children) with absence seizures and other seizure types (or at risk of these). If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of levetiracetam as monotherapy for adults and children, and as an add-on therapy for children under 12 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.3.7

Do not offer sodium valproate for absence seizures with other seizure types (or at risk of these) in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

5.3.8

If first-line treatments tried are unsuccessful for absence seizures and other seizure types (or at risk of these), consider:

  • lamotrigine or levetiracetam as a second-line monotherapy or add-on treatment options or

  • ethosuximide as a second-line add-on treatment.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other second-line options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 2 years, and levetiracetam in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.3.9

Be aware that the following antiseizure medications may exacerbate seizures in people with absence seizures and other seizure types (or at risk of these):

  • carbamazepine

  • gabapentin

  • oxcarbazepine

  • phenobarbital

  • phenytoin

  • pregabalin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on absence seizures.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: effectiveness of antiseizure therapies in the treatment of absence seizures.

5.4 Myoclonic seizures

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

Specialist involvement

5.4.1

If a child under 4 years has myoclonic seizures, either seek guidance on treatment from or refer to a tertiary paediatric neurologist.

First-line treatment

5.4.2

Offer sodium valproate as first-line treatment for myoclonic seizures in:

  • boys and men

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.4.3

Offer levetiracetam as first-line treatment for myoclonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children).

In April 2022, this was an off-label use of levetiracetam. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

Second- and third-line treatments

For guidance on safe prescribing and managing withdrawal of clobazam and clonazepam in adults, see NICE's guideline on medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms.

5.4.4

If sodium valproate is unsuccessful as first-line treatment for myoclonic seizures, offer levetiracetam as a second-line monotherapy or add-on treatment.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of levetiracetam as monotherapy for adults and children, and as an add-on therapy for children under 12 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.4.5

If levetiracetam is unsuccessful for myoclonic seizures, consider 1 of the following as monotherapy or add-on treatment options:

  • brivaracetam

  • clobazam

  • clonazepam

  • lamotrigine

  • phenobarbital

  • piracetam

  • topiramate

  • zonisamide.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider any other of these options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses for brivaracetam in adults and children, clobazam as monotherapy in adults and children, clobazam as add-on therapy in children under 6 months, clonazepam solution in children, lamotrigine as monotherapy for children under 13 years and add-on therapy for children under 2 years, piracetam in children, topiramate in adults and children, and zonisamide in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.4.6

Do not offer sodium valproate for myoclonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

Other treatment considerations

5.4.7

Be aware that lamotrigine can occasionally exacerbate myoclonic seizures.

5.4.8

Do not use any of the following antiseizure medications in people with myoclonic seizures because they may exacerbate seizures:

  • carbamazepine

  • gabapentin

  • oxcarbazepine

  • phenytoin

  • pregabalin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on myoclonic seizures.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: effectiveness of antiseizure therapies in the treatment of myoclonic seizures.

5.5 Tonic or atonic seizures

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

Specialist involvement

5.5.1

Ensure that people with a diagnosis of tonic or atonic seizures are assessed by a neurologist with expertise in epilepsy to:

  • diagnose the syndrome if possible and

  • advise on investigation and treatment.

First-line treatment

5.5.2

Offer sodium valproate as first-line treatment for tonic or atonic seizures in:

  • boys and men

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.5.3

Consider lamotrigine as first-line treatment for tonic or atonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children).

In April 2022, this was an off-label use of lamotrigine in children under 13 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

Second- and third-line treatments

For guidance on safe prescribing and managing withdrawal of clobazam in adults, see NICE's guideline on medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms.

5.5.4

If sodium valproate is unsuccessful as first-line treatment for tonic or atonic seizures, consider lamotrigine as a second-line monotherapy or add-on treatment.

In April 2022, this was an off-label use of lamotrigine as monotherapy in children under 13 years and add-on therapy in children under 2 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.5.5

If lamotrigine is unsuccessful for treating tonic or atonic seizures, consider 1 of the following as monotherapy or add-on treatment options:

  • clobazam

  • rufinamide

  • topiramate.

    If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider any other of these options.

    In April 2022, these were off-label uses for clobazam as monotherapy in adults and children, clobazam as add-on therapy in children under 6 months, rufinamide, and topiramate as monotherapy in children under 6 years, and topiramate as add-on therapy in children under 2 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.5.6

Do not offer sodium valproate for tonic or atonic seizures in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

Further treatment options

5.5.7

If third-line treatment is unsuccessful for tonic or atonic seizures in children, consider a ketogenic diet as an add-on treatment under the supervision of a ketogenic diet team.

5.5.8

If all other treatment options for tonic or atonic seizures are unsuccessful, consider felbamate as an add-on treatment under the supervision of a neurologist with expertise in epilepsy.

In April 2022, felbamate was not licensed for use in the UK. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

Other treatment considerations

5.5.9

Be aware that the following antiseizure medications may exacerbate seizures in people with tonic or atonic seizures:

  • carbamazepine

  • gabapentin

  • oxcarbazepine

  • pregabalin

  • tiagabine

  • vigabatrin.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on tonic or atonic seizures.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: effectiveness of antiseizure therapies in the treatment of tonic or atonic seizures/drop attacks.

5.6 Idiopathic generalised epilepsies

For more information on treatment in women and girls, see the section on antiseizure medications for women and girls.

Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls and antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

December 2023: The MHRA issued a patient safety alert on the risks associated with valproate for the under 55s in November 2023. The recommendations in this section are being reviewed and updated guidance will be available in early 2024.

First-line treatment

5.6.1

Offer sodium valproate as first-line treatment for idiopathic generalised epilepsies in:

  • boys and men

  • girls aged under 10 years and who are unlikely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children

  • women who are unable to have children.

5.6.2

Offer lamotrigine or levetiracetam as first-line treatment for idiopathic generalised epilepsies in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children). If the first choice is unsuccessful, offer the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine in children under 13 years, and levetiracetam in adults and children. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

Second-line treatment

5.6.3

If first-line treatments are unsuccessful for idiopathic generalised epilepsies, consider lamotrigine or levetiracetam as a second-line monotherapy or add-on treatment options. If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other of these options.

In April 2022, these were off-label uses of lamotrigine as monotherapy in children under 13 years and add-on therapy for children under 2 years, and levetiracetam as monotherapy in adults and children and add-on therapy for children under 12 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.6.4

If second-line treatments tried are unsuccessful for idiopathic generalised epilepsies, consider perampanel or topiramate as third-line add-on treatment options. If the first choice is unsuccessful, consider the other of these options.

In April 2022, this was an off-label use of perampanel for children under 7 years. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.

5.6.5

Do not offer sodium valproate for idiopathic generalised epilepsies in women and girls able to have children (including young girls who are likely to need treatment when they are old enough to have children), unless:

  • other treatment options are unsuccessful

  • the risks and benefits have been fully discussed, including the risks to an unborn child

  • the likelihood of pregnancy has been taken into account and a pregnancy prevention programme put in place, if appropriate.

    Follow the MHRA safety advice on valproate use by women and girls.

For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on idiopathic generalised epilepsies.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review J: effectiveness of antiseizure therapies in the treatment of idiopathic generalised epilepsies, including juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)