Reviewing Safety of Anticoagulants with Seizure Medications
This study focuses on the safety and effectiveness of using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) alongside antiseizure medications (ASMs) in patients aged 8 years and older.
Safety & First Aid
This hub covers seizure first aid: what to do during a seizure, when to use rescue meds, and when to call 911. Clear, research-informed guidance for home, school, sports, and sleep.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Safety & First Aid: What Families Usually Want to Know
- What to do during a convulsive seizure (step-by-step)
- When to use rescue medicine
- When to call 911 vs. monitor at home
- Safety planning for school, sports, bathing, and sleep
Seizure First Aid Basics in Plain English
- Time it: Start a timer.
- Protect the head: Move hazards, cushion head.
- Side position: Recovery position when possible.
- Nothing in the mouth: No food/drink, no objects.
- Stay with them: Until fully awake and safe.
Related Topics
Safety & First Aid FAQ
Do you have a seizure first aid sheet that I can print out?
Yes, you can get it here! Stick it on the fridge, give it to the grandparents, and share it with teachers.
When should I call 911?
If a convulsive seizure lasts ~5 minutes, breathing is abnormal, injury occurs, it’s a first seizure, or recovery is not typical.
What’s a seizure action plan?
A written plan for caregivers/schools that includes seizure types, what to do, and when to use rescue meds.
Is swimming allowed?
Often yes with 1:1 close supervision, a plan, and risk discussion with your neurologist.
What about baths?
Showers are usually safer than baths. If using a bath, supervision matters.
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Antiseizure Medications Impact Weight and Cholesterol Levels
This study looked at how different antiseizure medications (ASMs) affect cholesterol levels and weight in people with epilepsy.
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Comorbidities | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
One Night Dose of Levetiracetam Works Well for Kids
Researchers studied a type of epilepsy called self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) in 192 children.
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Levetiracetam Safer Than Phenobarbital for Newborn Seizures
Researchers studied the effectiveness and safety of two medications, levetiracetam (LEV) and phenobarbital (PB), for treating seizures in newborns.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
CBD Shows Promise for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Kids
This study looked at how effective and safe cannabidiol (CBD) is for children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Nanoparticle Treatments Show Promise for Status Epilepticus Care
Researchers studied new ways to treat status epilepticus (SE), a serious condition where seizures last too long and can cause severe harm.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Safety & First Aid
Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Epilepsy Treatment
This study looked at how well a combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine works for people with refractory epilepsy (RE), which is a type of epilepsy that doesn’t respond well to standard treatments.
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PERampanel Shows High Success in Treating Epilepsy Alone
A study called the MonoPER study looked at how effective and tolerable the medication Perampanel (PER) is when used alone to treat adults with focal or idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
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Brivaracetam Treatment Shows Mild Side Effects in Asian Adults
This study looked at how often and when side effects occurred in adult Asian patients with focal-onset seizures while they were treated with brivaracetam (BRV).
