Find Your Medication
Anti-Seizure Medications A to Z
Use this alphabetical reference to recognize medication names and find reliable information about your prescription.
A medicine may have several brand names. Your pharmacist can help identify its active ingredient, formulation and strength.
About this information
Epilepsy Ontario regularly reviews this educational material. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
This is a selected reference list, not a complete catalogue or a recommendation. Inclusion does not confirm current Canadian availability, coverage or suitability for a particular person.
Do not start, stop, substitute or change prescribed medication independently.
Canadian Information
Check the exact product.
Health Canada’s Drug Product Database provides information about authorized products, their regulatory status and available product monographs.
Search using the active ingredient, product name or Drug Identification Number (DIN) on your package. Consult your pharmacist about local supply and the instructions for your prescription.
Alphabetical Reference
Medication names you may encounter.
The names below are generic or active-ingredient names. Medicines differ in their uses, formulations and precautions.
A–C
- Acetazolamide
- Brivaracetam
- Cannabidiol — prescription oral solution
- Carbamazepine
- Cenobamate
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
D–L
- Diazepam
- Divalproex sodium
- Eslicarbazepine acetate
- Ethosuximide
- Fosphenytoin
- Gabapentin
- Lacosamide
- Lamotrigine
- Levetiracetam
- Lorazepam
N–P
- Nitrazepam
- Oxcarbazepine
- Perampanel
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Pregabalin
- Primidone
R–Z
- Rufinamide
- Stiripentol
- Topiramate
- Valproic acid / sodium valproate
- Vigabatrin
- Zonisamide
Cannot find your medicine?
The list is not exhaustive. Ask your pharmacist to confirm the generic name and help you locate the Canadian product information.
A brand name used outside Canada may differ from the name on your prescription.
Names alone do not tell the whole story.
The strength, dosage form and release characteristics matter. A liquid, a regular tablet and an extended-release tablet may have different instructions.
Ask your pharmacist before changing formulations, crushing tablets or opening capsules. Follow the instructions for the product actually prescribed.
Different Treatment Roles
Daily treatment and rescue medication
Some medicines are used regularly to reduce seizures. Others are prescribed for particular emergencies or seizure patterns. A medicine’s role can depend on its formulation and the individual plan.
Use rescue medication only according to the prescribed instructions and training.
Looking for more detailed explanations?
The Epilepsy Foundation provides an educational medication directory. It is a United States resource: brand names, approved uses and available formulations may differ from Canada.
Confirm Canadian instructions with your pharmacist, prescriber and the relevant product monograph.
Questions for your pharmacist
- What are the generic name and formulation?
- How and when should I take it?
- What should I do about a missed dose?
- Which interactions or side effects should I watch for?
- What should I do if my usual product is unavailable?
