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CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Epilepsy
In the right clinical topic?

All ages

This CKS topic is based on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline number 20, The Epilepsies: the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care [NICE, 2004c]. This CKS topic also incorporates NICE technology appraisal number 79, Newer drugs for epilepsy in children [NICE, 2004a] and NICE technology appraisal number 76, Newer drugs for epilepsy in adults [NICE, 2004b].

This CKS topic covers the diagnosis and management of epilepsy in primary care (including the immediate management of prolonged or repeated seizures).

This CKS topic does not cover the management of seizures, triggered by a transient identifiable cause, that are not of a primary cerebral origin (for example due to alcohol withdrawal). It does not provide prescriptions for antiepileptic drugs, as these should only be initiated by a specialist, or on specialist advice.

There are separate CKS topics on Alcohol - problem drinking, and Febrile seizure. Although contraception in women with epilepsy is discussed, for more detailed information and prescriptions, see the CKS topics on Contraception, and Contraception - emergency.

The target audience for this guidance is healthcare professionals working within the NHS in England, and providing first contact or primary health care. Patient information from Epilepsy Research UK is intended to be printed and given to people with this condition or their carers.

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement