Preventing Epilepsy Deaths: Clinician Toolkit
Examples of Empowering Conversations

When your patient has medication management and adherence complications

Determine why your patient is not taking their medications correctly

How well are you doing with taking your medication on time and how often do you think you skip or miss a dose?

I don’t have a regular schedule, so I don’t always remember to take them at the same time in the morning.  On weekends I sometimes sleep in and don’t take them.

Many of my patients struggle with taking their medication on time, and I have some suggestions that other patients have found helpful, and I can share them with you. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve experienced in taking your meds?

Well, honestly, the medication makes me really tired, so I think that is why I don’t wake up in time.

Many of the medications we use to treat seizures affect the body in other ways and many patients experience these other unintended effects.  Can you tell me about any changes in your health or mood since you started taking this medication?  We may be able to explore other medicines in addition to helping you with some tools to remind you when it is time to take a dose.