What follow-up care should I provide for a patient after their first seizure, including lifestyle advice and monitoring?

After a first seizure, provide the person, and their family and carers if appropriate, with information on how to recognize and manage a further seizure, including first aid and safety guidance (see safety issues in box 1) ².

Advise them on any changes they can make to reduce their risk of another seizure, such as avoiding known triggers like sleep deprivation, alcohol, and social drugs ¹.

Encourage recording any further episodes of possible seizures, for example using a video or seizure diary, to aid diagnosis and management ¹.

Ensure the person is referred urgently for assessment within 2 weeks to a specialist with expertise in diagnosing epilepsy ¹.

Provide ongoing support and information about lifestyle factors, safety, and the importance of medication adherence, as well as discussing the impact on daily activities and driving regulations ².