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Epilepsy - Antiepileptic treatment

Medications for epileptic seizures prevent and reduce the risk of new seizures. 2/3 of people with epilepsy have a good effect from medication and are not severely troubled by seizures.

 Epilepsy

Reference and assessment

Your general practitioner is referring you to a neurologist for assessment and treatment of epilepsy.

: The referral must include a good medical history, with a description of the seizures' duration, extent, and frequency.

The results from the clinical neurological examination should also be included with the referral.

For referrals to the National Hospital for Epilepsy, see separate referral criteria here. 

Before

Under

After

: Please be aware.

  • : When you receive anti-seizure treatment, you may experience fatigue, liver effects, and skin rash.

  • If you develop a severe rash, stop taking the medication and contact a neurologist, general practitioner, or emergency medical service as soon as possible.

  • If you have been seizure-free for one year with the same medication, you can usually have a driver's license and drive a car.

  • When planning or wishing to become pregnant, you should contact a neurologist to receive the best possible tailored follow-up of your treatment. If you become pregnant without first contacting a neurologist, you should contact one to have your treatment assessed and to determine how follow-up should be.

: Contact

  • : Contact the Child and Youth Department (BUA), Arendal

    : Meeting point

    Contact the expedition of the children's department 6E on the 6th floor of the main building.



    Sørlandet sykehus Arendal sett fra luften.

    Sørlandet Hospital Arendal

    : Hospital Road 1

    Hospital Road 1, 4838 Arendal

    : Find it/them.

    Transport

    You can reach our locations using public transport. Visit Agder kollektivtrafikk to find your route:akt.no

    You may be entitled to have necessary expenses covered when traveling to and from the treatment location.

    chomp.no/reise/refusjon/Patient travels.

    : Practical information

    At the hospital pharmacy in Arendal, you can drop off prescriptions and purchase pharmacy goods.
    You'll find us on the 1st floor of the main building, just inside the entrance.
    Open every weekday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

    Arendal Hospital Pharmacy

    Does the appointment not work? Now, if you receive the appointment letter digitally on helsenorge.no, you can send a direct message to the department you are going to if you need to reschedule. You must be a registered user on helsenorge to access the service.
    You can also contact the department where you have your appointment or call the main switchboard by phone: : 38 07 30 00
    ​

    Children and young people are affected when someone in the family is ill and needs to understand what is happening. It could be that you are the patient, a close relative, or a parent of a sick child with siblings. We at the hospital will contribute to ensuring that the children and young people in your family are well cared for.

    Children of affected individuals


    Visiting hours may vary at the different departments and locations. Please check with the department you have an appointment with for more information.

    View overview of the hospital's departments

    : General visiting hours:

    Arendal:
    : 5:00-7:00 PM on weekdays
    2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM on weekends and holidays

    Flekkefjord:
    : 2:00-3:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM
    Delivery Ward: 5:00-7:00 PM (siesta/no visits: 2:00-4:00 PM)

    : Kristiansand:
    : 5:00-7:00 PM on weekdays
    14.00-16.00 and 18.00-19.00 on weekends and public holidays

    Postnatal ward: 4:00–6:00 PM daily for the newborn's healthy siblings.

    translation:The patient library in Arendal is located in the basement of the main building. It is self-service and open 24 hours a day. Here you can borrow books and read newspapers and magazines.

    Many people wish to bring a floral greeting when visiting a patient in the hospital, but due to allergies and the risk of infection, several of our departments are flower-free. We would appreciate it if you who wish to bring a gift for the patient choose something other than flowers.

    Some patients also react allergically to perfume or creams containing perfume. We ask that this be taken into consideration.

    Many patients and relatives want to take photos/videos or blog about their time at the hospital. Of course, you are welcome to do so, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and employees.

    Here are a couple of good tips for using social media for you as a patient or caregiver:

    • Respect others. You must have consent if you want to take pictures or videos of patients or employees. All patients are entitled to privacy when they are at the hospital.
    • It is the parents/guardians who decide whether you can take pictures of children or publish pictures of them online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When the child has turned 12, great weight should be given to what the child thinks. When the child has turned 15, they themselves decide whether it is okay to be photographed and whether it should be published.
    • Remember that employees must also give their consent if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
    • You should remove content you have published if the person it concerns asks you to. If others have posted pictures of you on the internet without permission, you can ask the person to delete them. If you are not heard, you can contact: www.delete-me.no.

    : Audio recording
    It is not illegal to record conversations you are participating in for private use. However, publishing and sharing requires consent from the person you are speaking with. Secret recordings of conversations you are not participating in are illegal.

    Sometimes we need a space for rest and reflection. We have three such rooms available for you and your loved ones. The rooms are open to all, regardless of belief and faith.

    In Arendal, you can find the hospital's quiet room/chapel in the basement of the main building. In Kristiansand, the room is located on the first floor of the main building, north entrance. Both rooms are open 24/7. In Flekkefjord, the chapel is located near the parking lot to the left of the main entrance.

    There is also the possibility of holding a memorial service in the chapel in the event of a death. This is arranged by contacting the hospital chaplains.

    Eg Church in Kristiansand is open every weekday between 08-18 for those who wish for a space for silence and reflection. Open from 10-18 on weekends.

    : Kiosk
    You'll find the kiosk in the lobby on the 1st floor.

    Here you can buy kiosk goods such as newspapers, magazines, fruit, chocolate, biscuits, ice cream, soft drinks, cards, flowers, some toiletries, and various gift items.

    In addition, you can buy buns, chicken wraps, rolls, salads, calzones, panini, and hot dogs.

    : Opening hours:
    : Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
    : Saturday and Sunday: 09.00-20.00

    Parking spaces at Sørlandet Hospital are subject to a fee Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Anyone wishing to park on the hospital grounds must follow the signs and instructions on the payment machines.

    At the hospitals in Arendal and Kristiansand, it is possible to pay for parking with EasyPark (mobile solution), card, or coins in other areas. See signage for both payment options and time limits.

    At the hospital in Kristiansand, you can register your parking via the Easypark app, via the machine where you park, or the Flowbird website.

    Register payment on website

    Overview of parking spaces on Eg in Kristiansand
     

    At the hospital in Arendal, cameras read vehicle registration numbers upon entering and exiting the parking garage through the Autopay service. Follow the signs and read the instructions.


    Pay at the payment terminal.

    If you haven't created a profile onAutopay.ioYou can pay at the machine by the main entrance. Enter the vehicle's registration number. You can pay by card or cash, but the machine does not give change.

    : Pay automatically

    Register as a customer with your registration number and bank card at www.autopay.io. Once you have registered, you will automatically pay each time you park in the car park.

    In certain periods, e.g. when there's a lot of snow, it can be difficult to find parking. We therefore recommend allowing plenty of time.

    For electric cars:

    Arendal: Electric cars can park for free in areas marked with a maximum time limit of 1, 2, or 3 hours. On other areas, a fee must be paid from the first hour.
    Kristiansand: Electric cars will pay fees from the first hour.
    Flekkefjord: Electric cars will pay fees from the first hour.

    Need to charge your car? Not all of our hospital areas have charging stations, and those that do have a limited number. You therefore cannot rely on being able to charge your car while you are visiting as a patient or visitor. You can see all charging stations here:

    All charging stations in one map - Norwegian Electric Car Association​

    : Blood donors park free at the hospital.: More information is available at the blood bank.


    Parents of children (under 18 years) with a hospital stay of more than 14 days,receives free parking during the child's continued stay. This also applies if the child's stay begins at another hospital. Contact the department at the hospital for more information.

    Valid HC card gives free parking in designated areas.
    Contact the Service Desk to register your HC card. HC vehicles are exempt from time restrictions unless otherwise indicated on signs.

    Parking for mothers in Kristiansand
    There is free parking for mothers-to-be outside the Women's Department at the hospital in Kristiansand. The maximum parking time is set to 2 hours.

    The service desk in Arendal is located right by the main entrance. Here you can contact us with questions about your hospital appointment.

    : Opening hours:
    : Weekdays: 07.00-21.00.
    Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 09.00-20.00.

    Need someone to talk to? Our hospital chaplains have extensive experience in meeting people in various life situations. They meet you on your own terms, regardless of faith, worldview, or attitude. The hospital chaplains are available around the clock, every day of the week, for patients, relatives, and staff.

    Would you like to get in contact? Then you can ask the hospital staff for help, or call the main switchboard on telephone: 38 07 30 00.

    Hospital chaplains also facilitate contact with other religious and belief communities.

    If you need an interpreter, please inform the hospital well in advance of your appointment. The cost of the interpreter will be covered by the healthcare service.: The Norwegian Health Website

    Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.helsenorge.no/interpreter

    All visitors can use free wireless internet at the hospital.

    Look for HSO-Guest on your network and follow the login instructions.

    If you cannot find the network, you are in an area that has not yet been developed.

  • : Contact the Neurology Department, Kristiansand

    : Meeting point

    Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand:
    Neurology outpatient clinic, 1st floor.
    Sørlandet Hospital Arendal:
    Medical/Neurological Outpatient Clinic 2nd floor: 2E.

    Address

    : Visiting hours
    • Today : 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    En by omgitt av trær og en elv

    Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand

    : Egsveien 100, building 10

    Egsveien 100, building 10, 4615 Kristiansand

    : Find it/them.

    Transport

    You can reach our locations using public transport. Visit Agder kollektivtrafikk to find your route:akt.no

    You may be entitled to have necessary expenses covered when traveling to and from the treatment location.

    ities.no. You should primarily use public transport, and you must pay a deductible. To get reimbursed for expenses incurred during the trip, you must fill out a travel expense form and send it to modalities.no.: Patient travel.

    : Practical information

    At the hospital pharmacy in Kristiansand, you can drop off prescriptions and purchase pharmacy goods.

    You'll find us on the 1st floor of the main building, right by the entrance.
    Open every weekday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

    Kristiansand Hospital Pharmacy

    Does the appointment not work? Now, if you receive the appointment letter digitally on helsenorge.no, you can send a direct message to the department you are going to if you need to reschedule. You must be a registered user on helsenorge to access the service.
    You can also contact the department where you have your appointment or call the main switchboard by phone: 
    ​


    Visiting hours may vary at the different departments and locations. Please check with the department you have an appointment with for more information.

    See overview of the hospital's departments

    : General visiting hours:

    Arendal:
    : 5:00-7:00 PM on weekdays
    2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM on weekends and holidays

    Flekkefjord:
    : 2:00-3:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM
    Delivery Ward: 17.00-19.00 (siesta/no visits: 14.00-16.00)

    : Kristiansand:
    : 5:00-7:00 PM on weekdays
    14.00-16.00 and 18.00-19.00 on weekends and public holidays

    Postnatal ward: 4:00–6:00 PM daily for the newborn's healthy siblings.

    Most hospital wards in Kristiansand have a small collection of books that patients and relatives can borrow. Contact your ward for more information and assistance.

    Many people wish to bring a floral greeting when visiting a patient in the hospital, but due to allergies and the risk of infection, several of our departments are flower-free. We would appreciate it if you who wish to bring a gift for the patient choose something other than flowers.

    Some patients also react allergically to perfume or creams containing perfume. We ask that this be taken into consideration.

    Many patients and relatives want to take photos/videos or blog about their time at the hospital. Of course, you are welcome to do so, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

    Here are a couple of good tips for using social media for you as a patient or caregiver:

    • Consider others. You must have consent if you want to take pictures or videos of patients or employees. All patients are entitled to privacy when they are at the hospital.
    • It is the parents/guardians who decide whether you can take pictures of children or publish pictures of them online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When the child has turned 12, great weight should be given to what the child thinks. When the child has turned 15, they themselves decide whether it is okay to be photographed and whether they should be published.
    • Remember that employees must also give their consent if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
    • sjekk.no www.delete-me.no.

    : Audio recording
    It is not illegal to record conversations you are participating in for private use. However, publishing and sharing requires consent from the person you are talking to. Secret recordings of conversations you are not participating in are illegal.

    Our hairdresser is located on the third floor of the hospital's main building and is open to everyone. If needed, the hairdresser can come to the ward. The hairdresser also customizes wigs. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
    : Book an appointment: : 94 81 59 01 

    : See alsowww.harspesialisten.no​​for booking an appointment.

    .Have you worked in healthcare or received healthcare outside of Scandinavia in the last year?

    For example, this could involve hospital admission, extensive outpatient treatment, or a visit to the dentist. In such cases, your family doctor must test you for bacteria resistant to antibiotics (such as MRSA).

    Please have your family doctor send you the lab results before your appointment with us and bring them with you when you come to the hospital.

    Sometimes we need a space for rest and reflection. We have three such rooms available for you and your loved ones. The rooms are open to all, regardless of belief and faith.

    In Arendal, you'll find the hospital's quiet room/chapel in the basement of the main building. In Kristiansand, the room is located on the first floor of the main building, north entrance. Both rooms are open 24/7. In Flekkefjord, the chapel is located near the parking lot to the left of the main entrance.

    It is also possible to hold a memorial service in the chapel in the event of a death. This is arranged by contacting the hospital chaplains.

    Eg Church in Kristiansand is open every weekday between 08:00-18:00, for those who wish for a space for silence and reflection. Open from 10:00-18:00 on weekends.

    ​: Kiosk
    You'll find the kiosk on the 1st floor in the main building's lobby at Eg.

    : Opening hours:
    : Monday-Friday: 08:00-20:00
    : Saturday and Sunday: 09:30-20:00

    At the kiosk, you can buy things like newspapers, magazines, fruit, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, soft drinks, flowers, cards, and various gift items.

    Cafeteria
    "Kilden" cafeteria is located together with the kiosk and has the same opening hours.

    The cafeteria serves, among other things, rolls, baguettes, salad, cakes, hamburgers, and sausages.

    Parking spaces at Sørlandet Hospital are subject to a fee Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Anyone wishing to park on the hospital grounds must follow the signage and instructions on the payment machines.

    At the hospitals in Arendal and Kristiansand, it is possible to pay for parking with EasyPark (mobile solution), card, or coins in other areas. See signage for both payment options and time limits.

    At the hospital in Kristiansand, you can register your parking via the Easypark app, via the machine where you park, or the Flowbird website.

    Register payment on website

    Overview of parking spaces on Eg in Kristiansand
     

    At the hospital in Arendal, cameras read vehicle registration numbers upon entering and exiting the parking garage through the Autopay service. Follow the signs and read the instructions.


    Pay at the payment terminal.

    If you haven't created a profile yetAutopay.ioYou can pay at the machine by the main entrance. Enter the vehicle's registration number. You can pay by card or cash, but the machine does not give change.

    : Pay automatically

    Register as a customer with your registration number and bank card at www.autopay.io. Once registered, you will automatically pay each time you park in the car park.

    In certain periods, e.g. when there's a lot of snow, it can be difficult to find a parking space. We therefore recommend allowing plenty of time.

    : For electric cars:

    Arendal: Electric cars can park for free in areas with a maximum sign of 1, 2, or 3 hours. On other areas, a fee must be paid from the first hour.
    Kristiansand: Electric cars will pay fees from the first hour.
    Flekkefjord: Electric cars will pay fees from the first hour.

    Need to charge your car? Not all of our hospital areas have charging stations, and those that do have a limited number. Therefore, you cannot rely on being able to charge your car while you are visiting as a patient or visitor. You can see all charging stations here:

    All charging stations in one map - Norwegian Electric Car Association​

    : Blood donors park for free at the hospital.: More information is available at the blood bank.


    Parents of children (under 18 years) with a hospital stay of more than 14 days,Receive free parking during the child's continued stay. This also applies if the child's stay begins at another hospital. Contact the department at the hospital for more information.

    Valid HC cards provide free parking in designated areas.
    Contact the Service Desk to register your HC card. HC vehicles are exempt from time restrictions unless otherwise indicated on signs.

    Parking for mothers-to-be Kristiansand
    There is free parking for women giving birth outside the Women's Department at the hospital in Kristiansand. The maximum parking time is set to 2 hours.

    The service desk in Kristiansand is located right by the main entrance. Here you can contact us with questions about your appointment at the hospital.

    : Opening hours:
    : Weekdays: 07.30-21.00.
    Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 08:00-21:00.

    Need someone to talk to? Our hospital chaplains have extensive experience in meeting people in various life situations. They meet you on your own terms, regardless of faith, worldview, or attitude. Hospital chaplains are available around the clock, every day of the week, for patients, relatives, and staff.

    Would you like to get in contact? Then you can ask the hospital staff for help, or call the main switchboard on telephone: 38 07 30 00.

    Hospital chaplains also facilitate contact with other religious and belief communities.

    If you need an interpreter, please inform the hospital in good time before the appointment. The costs of the interpreter are covered by the healthcare service.: The Norwegian Health Website

    Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.helsenorge.no/interpreter

    All visitors can use free wireless internet at the hospital.

    Look for HSO-Guest on your network and follow the login instructions.

    If you can't find the network, you are in an area that has not yet been developed.