For people with epilepsy, taking anti-seizure medication every day is an important part of treatment. It can also be one of the hardest parts of living with this lifelong neurological condition.

Up to 60 percent of people have trouble taking their medication as prescribed. Missing doses can increase seizure risk by up to 21 percent. These six tips can help you or your child stay on track.

1. Use Alarms, Apps, and Pill Organizer Boxes

In one study, 73 percent of people who missed doses of their anti-seizure medication said they simply forgot. The good news is that a few simple tools can make a real difference.

Set a phone alarm for the same time each day, so taking your medication becomes part of your routine. One MyEpilepsyTeam member shared, “Each day, an alarm sounds at 7 p.m., and that's when I take my medication.” There are also smartphone apps with added features like seizure tracking and refill reminders worth exploring.

A weekly pillbox removes the guesswork of whether you’ve already taken your dose. Pillboxes come in different styles. Some hold one or two weeks of medication, while others have sections for once- or twice-daily doses. Choose one that fits your routine. For travel, a keychain pillbox keeps your medication close wherever you go. As one member put it: “If you’re out of your home, bring a pocket pillbox.”

2. Make Medication Part of Your Daily Routine

Try linking your medication to something you already do every day. For example, you might take it after brushing your teeth or while making coffee. This can help you build a more consistent routine. This is sometimes called habit stacking. It means linking a new habit to something you already do.

A few ways to make it work:

• Keep your pill organizer visible. Place it next to your toothbrush, beside the coffee maker, or anywhere you’ll see it at the right time.
• Make your medication easy to reach. The easier it is to reach your medication, the less likely you are to skip it.
• Build medication into a familiar routine for children. Give medicine after dinner, then move on to a bath and story time. When children know what to expect, there may be less resistance.
• Set up automatic refills. Running out unexpectedly is a common reason for missed doses. Research shows automatic refill programs may help people take their medication as prescribed.

3. Use Honesty and Positive Reinforcement With Children

If you're a caregiver of a child with epilepsy, resistance at medication time is normal. Staying calm is the first step.

Being honest is better than trying to hide the medication. Hiding medication in food or pretending it’s something else can backfire. Your child may lose trust or start refusing foods they used to eat.

Being straightforward with children about what their medication does and why they need it helps build a sense of ownership over their health.

4. Help Medication Feel Like a Normal Routine

For children and teens, taking medicine may make them feel different from their peers. This can lead to resistance. It is typical for children to want to fit in and be “normal.”

Support, education, and open conversations can help make taking medication feel more normal. Here are some approaches that may help:

• Teach them about their epilepsy early on so they understand the importance of their medication.
• Talk to them about epilepsy and anti-seizure medication in a positive way.
• Help them navigate any issues with peers, including teasing.
• Encourage them to meet others with epilepsy by joining a support group in your area.
• Help make taking medication feel like a normal part of caring for their health. Research shows this may help teens stick with their epilepsy medication.

5. Address Taste and Swallowing Issues

Taste and swallowing can be two of the biggest barriers for children, but there are practical ways to work around both.

If taste is the issue:

• Break the dose into smaller pieces, and have your child take them between sips of water or juice.
• Let your child choose how to take it, such as in food or with a spoon, cup, or syringe.

Not all medications can be crushed, dissolved, or split. Changing how a child takes certain medications can affect how well they work. Always check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before changing how they take their medication.

6. Find Ways To Reduce Side Effects

About one-third of people who have trouble taking medication as prescribed say side effects are the main reason. If side effects make it hard to take your medication, talk with your care team instead of just pushing through.

Your doctor may be able to adjust your dose, simplify your medication schedule, or suggest a form that’s easier to take.

For children, it’s also important to watch for indirect signs. Children may not connect their resistance to how the medication makes them feel. Checking in about how they’re feeling overall may help uncover side effect issues.

If side effects are severe enough to make you want to skip doses, ask your neurologist whether other anti-seizure medications or treatment options might be a better fit.

Before starting any new anti-seizure medication, ask your provider which side effects need medical care right away, such as a rash, and which ones may be managed at home.

All anti-seizure medications include warnings about possible mood changes and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any new or worsening mood symptoms. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, get emergency medical care right away.

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also use the online chat.

What To Do if You Miss a Dose

Many anti-seizure medications can start to wear off within 24 hours. That’s why taking them every day is important for seizure control.

Missing medication is the most common trigger for breakthrough seizures, even when epilepsy is well controlled. Although it’s not common, even one missed dose can trigger seizures for some people, depending on the medication and the person.

The rules about what to do after a missed dose depend on the epilepsy medication and how often it’s taken. Get in touch with your doctor or pharmacist for advice on whether or how to make up a forgotten dose.

Join the Conversation

On MyEpilepsyTeam, people share their experiences with epilepsy, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you found any habits that make sticking to your seizure medications easier? Share your thoughts in the comments below.