Which factors commonly contribute to nonadherence with antiseizure medications, and what should nurses do to support adherence?

• A. Side effects, costs, and complex regimens; provide education, simplify dosing, set reminders, and coordinate with pharmacy and healthcare team.
• B. Only forgetfulness; ignore side effects.
• C. Costs are the only factor; refer to financial aid only.
• D. Medication effectiveness is the only consideration; increase dose.

Answer: (A)

Adherence to antiseizure medications is influenced by multiple barriers, and a nurse’s approach should address both what the patient experiences and how the treatment is structured. Side effects can make continued use uncomfortable or frightening, costs can limit access, and complex regimens increase the chances of missed or incorrect dosing. Forgetfulness and challenges in navigating the healthcare system also play a role. The best nursing strategy combines education with practical steps: explain why consistent dosing matters for seizure control; openly discuss side effects and work with the prescriber to manage them or switch to better-tolerated options if needed; simplify the regimen whenever possible by using once-daily or longer-acting formulations; set up reminders and organizational aids such as alarms or pill organizers; and coordinate with the pharmacy and the broader healthcare team to address financial barriers, obtain generics or patient assistance, align refill schedules, and ensure timely access to medications. This comprehensive approach directly targets the common barriers to adherence and supports sustained, safe seizure management. While factors like forgetfulness or costs are important, addressing a range of barriers together is more effective than focusing on a single issue, and simply increasing the dose without considering tolerability and safety can worsen adherence problems.