Shortage of ‘life-changing’ epilepsy drug 'is causing huge stress'

Doctors say epilepsy patients — and parents of younger people with the condition — are concerned at the shortage of Rivotril, but warn that hasty substitution could cause further health problems. Stock picture 

Parents of children with epilepsy have been unable to get access to a vital drug for weeks, with GPs and pharmacists unsure what to safely prescribe instead.

Rivotril is used to treat epilepsy in infants, children, and adults — but the tablets have been marked as out of stock in Ireland, with one GP estimating they have been gone for as many as six weeks.