30th October 2006        Does it matter if I forget to take my medicine?

According to current estimates, as many as 30 to 50% of people with epilepsy fail to keep to their medication plan*. Indeed some experts have claimed that non-adherence to medication could be the most important cause of poorly controlled epilepsy. So are there ways to help people to keep to their medication plan?

456,000 people in the UK have epilepsy. 70% of those people ought to become seizure free if they receive the right treatment. Most people with epilepsy are treated with one or more anti-epileptic medications. Specialist doctors may make subtle alterations in combinations and dosage levels until seizures are eradicated.

Remembering to take medicines at the right time can be challenging for anyone, but there are a number of ways in which adherence can be encouraged. Firstly, it’s important to give the patient as much information as possible about their medicine, and the way in which it works, in order to ensure that the reasons for continued compliance are fully understood. This doesn’t always happen in busy doctor’s surgeries of consultant’s clinics.

Secondly, a significant percentage of people with epilepsy have some degree of learning disability too. In these situations it is important for the individual in question to have a clear schedule describing their medication plan. Drug wallets, which contain spaces for storing tablets for a week, can be helpful too.

Many people with epilepsy have memory problems, so may benefit from using reminder notes, or asking people close to them to help them to remember to take their medicines at the right time.

People with more severe disabilities may need someone to administer their medicine for them, or may be perfectly able to take their medicines, but will need carers to ensure that they have been consistent.

Dr Melanie MacLeod, director of care at Independence Homes, said:
“I do have concerns that general care and support organisations may not always have the understanding of just why medication adherence is such an important part of epilepsy management. A number of our service users are able to administer medication themselves, and our attitude is simply to support these men and women in their own epilepsy management. Sometimes it can be as simple as explaining why adherence is so important, and how medicines work. It may sound simple, but often no one has had the time, or recognised the importance perhaps, of explaining this.”

Independence Homes was formed in 1997 specifically to help people with epilepsy and learning difficulties to fulfil their potential and achieve their own objectives. Independence Homes provides accommodation and support for adults living with epilepsy, other medical needs and learning disability. Today, Independence Homes employs almost 200 staff and support over 50 adults in both supported living programmes and community based residential care.


For further information on Independence Homes please contact Jacqui Barclay on 0208 781 6960.

* source: Leppik IE. How to get patients with epilepsy to take their medication.

The problem of non-compliance. Postgrad Med 1990;88:253-6