For over 80 years, the most effective treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders has been through the use of seizure-preventing medications called anti-convulsant or anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
While these medications do not cure epilepsy, they make it possible for many people to live normal, active lives completely free of seizures. Other people may continue to have seizures, but less frequently. And there are still those who need other treatment methods as the drugs are not effective against their seizures.
There is much variability among people and the AEDs they take including side effects and the drug’s effectiveness against their type of seizures. It often takes a good deal of time to find the right medication (mono therapy), or combination of medication (polytherapy), in the right dosage to reach an effective seizure-preventing level in a person.
It is important to remember that these medications will only work if they are taken regularly, every day!
The Epilepsy Services Medication Program (EMP) is a safety net program that provides epilepsy medication to clients when they need assistance paying for it. The Epilepsy Agency of the Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida and other Florida State Epilepsy Services Program members can help individuals enroll.
For additional information on the Epilepsy Medication Program, contact us at: 941.953.5988 (Sarasota) or 239.275.4838 (Ft. Myers)
Visit the Epilepsy Services Medication Program (EMP) website
Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs: Prescription assistance may be available through Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), which are created by pharmaceutical companies to provide free or discounted medicines to people who lack health insurance or other means of payment. Each program has its own qualifying criteria. The Epilepsy Agency of Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida and other Florida State Epilepsy Services Program members listed above can help individuals enroll. EABB is currently enrolling clients in the following PAPs:
