Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy, Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich, NR6 5BE
http://www.nsft.nhs.uk/

Professor Stephen Bazire
01603-421452
steve.bazire@nsft.nhs.uk

How many medicines should I be taking for my symptoms of epilepsy?

There are no easy answers to this and it is a very individual choice. Generally one medicine should be the aim but sometimes combinations (often called “polypharmacy”) help, particularly in epilepsy. There are so many combinations, it isn't really possible to put a table because it would be so big. It is best to discuss this with your prescriber. Often in epilepsy a combination of medicines happens because stopping one and starting another can be dangerous e.g. fits come back. When combining medicines for epilepsy your prescriber will need to make sure they don;t interact with each other, and that you get the best out of each anticonvulsant.

11.10 

Main pharmacy contact points

Main Trust switchboard in Norwich, tel: 01603-421421
Dispensary and all enquiries, tel: 01603-421212, fax: 01603-421365
Pharmacy office tel: 01603-421319
Medicines Information tel: 01603-421212
Unthank Road pharmacy tel: 01603-750031
Deputy Director and Clinical Pharmacy Manager John Hunter, tel: 01603-421364

Opening hours:
Main pharmacy open Monday to Friday: 8.30-16.30 (open at 9.15 on Wednesdays for staff meeting)
Unthank Road pharmacy tel: 01603-671917 open 9.15-12.00 Monday to Friday, also Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons for dose assessments.

Service objectives:
The pharmacy service to Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has five main aims:

  1. Efficient drug distribution and purchasing
  2. Provision of accurate and independent education and information about medicine therapy to service users and carers
  3. Information and education for Trust and other professionals, and voluntary helpers
  4. Clinical activities to help ensure the optimum use of drug therapies
  5. Medicine management to ensure the most cost-effective use is made of resources