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Epilepsy: US-approved treatments and how families in the Gulf can access them

Name: Epilepsy: US-approved treatments and Gulf access | Reserve Meds
Creator: Reserve Meds
Published: 2026-10-17

A plain guide for families in the Gulf, checked against US FDA labels, US National Institutes of Health information, Gulf drug registers and published research on 17 October 2026.

Reviewed by the Reserve Meds clinical operations team on 17 October 2026.

Epilepsy: the short answer

The US FDA has approved four medicines covered on this page for epilepsy, each for a specific group of patients: Xcopri, Aptiom, Epidiolex and Libervant. On 17 October 2026, three of them were on the Saudi or Abu Dhabi register, so ask your hospital about local supply first. Where a medicine is not registered, the treating hospital can ask the national regulator to import it for one named patient. Reserve Meds is a digital health company that helps with that process. We do not diagnose or prescribe.

US FDA-approved medicines on this page: Xcopri, Aptiom, Epidiolex and Libervant.
Gulf registers (checked 17 October 2026): see each medicine below.
Legal route: local supply where listed; otherwise a named-patient import request filed by the treating hospital.
Price: Quote on request.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder in which groups of nerve cells in the brain sometimes send the wrong signals and cause seizures. During a seizure, many neurons fire at the same time, much faster than normal, which can cause involuntary movements, sensations, emotions or behaviors, and sometimes loss of awareness.^[1]

Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury and abnormal brain development, and in many cases the cause is unknown. About 60% of people with epilepsy have focal seizures, which start in one area of the brain.^{[2, 1]}

There is no cure, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines do not work well, surgery or implanted devices may help, and special diets can help some children.^[2]

Epilepsy in the Gulf

Gulf studies include a 2021 study of the spectrum of neurogenetic disorders in the United Arab Emirates national population and a 2015 study of epilepsy awareness in Saudi Arabia.^{[3, 4]}

We checked every medicine on this page against the full SFDA drugs list and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health drug code list on 17 October 2026. 0 of 4 were listed in Saudi Arabia and 3 of 4 in Abu Dhabi. The result for each medicine is shown below. A listing does not mean every hospital stocks the medicine, and federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman registers were not checked.^{[5, 6]}

US FDA-approved medicines for epilepsy

Each medicine below is approved in the US for a specific group of patients. The wording summarizes the current US label. Your specialist decides whether any of them is right for the patient.

Xcopri (cenobamate)
US FDA-approved for partial-onset seizures in adults. It is a tablet, sold as Ontozry outside the US.^[7]
Current US label version: 25 August 2025. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (DoH drug code list): listed. Checked 17 October 2026. Federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not checked; we confirm for your country when you ask.^{[5, 6]}
Country access guides: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate)
US FDA-approved for partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years and older. It is a tablet, sold as Zebinix outside the US.^[8]
Current US label version: 10 November 2023. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (DoH drug code list): listed. Checked 17 October 2026. Federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not checked; we confirm for your country when you ask.^{[5, 6]}
Country access guides: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar
Epidiolex (cannabidiol)
US FDA-approved for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or tuberous sclerosis complex in patients 1 year and older.^[9]
Current US label version: 29 May 2026. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (DoH drug code list): listed as Epidyolex. Checked 17 October 2026. Federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not checked; we confirm for your country when you ask.^{[5, 6]}
Libervant (diazepam buccal film)
US FDA-approved for acute treatment of seizure clusters that differ from a patient's usual pattern in children with epilepsy aged 2 to 5. It is a diazepam film placed inside the cheek.^[10]
Current US label version: 13 November 2024. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (DoH drug code list): not found. Checked 17 October 2026. Federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not checked; we confirm for your country when you ask.^{[5, 6]}
Country access guides: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey

How families in the Gulf can access treatment

If the medicine is listed in your country. Ask your specialist and the hospital about local supply first. A listing does not mean every hospital stocks the medicine, but it is usually the fastest route, and you may not need us.

If it is not registered. The usual legal route is a named-patient request: the treating hospital, on your specialist's written request, asks the national regulator for permission to import the medicine for one patient, using the US FDA approval as the reference. In Saudi Arabia the SFDA Special Access Program guidance covers these requests; in Bahrain, NHRA Circular 41 of 2020 sets the procedure. Other Gulf countries have their own procedures, which the hospital confirms.^{[11, 12]} Once approval is in place, Reserve Meds arranges supply through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner to the hospital.

Who does what

Your treating specialist decides whether a medicine is right for the patient and writes the medical letter.
The hospital checks local supply, files any import request, and gives the treatment safely.
The national regulator decides whether to approve the import of a medicine that is not registered.
The manufacturer decides where its medicine can be supplied, especially for cell and gene therapies.
Reserve Meds helps organize records, coordinates US supply through our wholesale partner, shipping and updates to your family. We do not give medical advice.

Documents you will usually need

A letter from the treating specialist with the diagnosis, past treatments and why this medicine is being considered
Reports that confirm the diagnosis, such as genetic, pathology, imaging or laboratory results, translated into English where needed
Recent clinic notes and a list of current medicines
For a hospital import request: the prescription, the hospital's request form and the written consent of the patient or guardian
Proof of the US FDA approval and the US prescribing information (we can supply these)

We give you a written timeline estimate for your case before you commit. The regulator, the hospital or treatment center and the manufacturer set their own timelines.

What treatment costs

Quote on request. Your total cost depends on the medicine, the dose, shipping, import steps and coordination. Your coordination fee is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges.

How Reserve Meds helps

Reserve Meds is a digital health company. Medicines are supplied through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner. We help your doctor and hospital prepare the file, arrange US supply and temperature-controlled shipping once approval is in place, and keep your family updated. We coordinate access to FDA-approved medicines only. Investigational medicines are only available through a manufacturer's expanded-access program requested by the treating physician; we can explain that route, but we do not supply them.

Ask us about treatment for epilepsy

Tell us the medicine, your country and a WhatsApp or phone number. We reply within one business day. On WhatsApp we usually reply the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an FDA-approved treatment for epilepsy?

Yes. The medicines on this page have US FDA approval for specific groups of patients: Xcopri, Aptiom, Epidiolex and Libervant. The exact conditions are in each US label and are summarized above. Your specialist decides whether any of them fits.

Is Xcopri available in Saudi Arabia or the UAE?

We checked on 17 October 2026. Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (Department of Health drug code list): listed. A listing in Abu Dhabi does not show federal UAE status, which we could not verify. Your hospital confirms current supply.

How can a family in the Gulf get Xcopri?

Ask the treating hospital about local supply first. If it is not available, the hospital can file a named-patient import request with the national regulator on your specialist's written request. Once approved, we arrange US supply to the hospital.

How much does treatment cost?

Quote on request. Your total cost, including the medicine, shipping, import steps and coordination, is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges.

Does Reserve Meds diagnose or prescribe?

No. Reserve Meds is a digital health company. Medicines are supplied through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner. We do not diagnose, prescribe or decide what a regulator approves. Your specialist and hospital make the medical decisions.

Can a brand be listed under a different name in the Gulf?

Yes. Xcopri is sold as Ontozry and Aptiom as Zebinix outside the US. We check both names in the registers and show the result for each medicine on this page.

Sources for the condition-specific answers: ^{[5, 6]}

Sources

Accessed and checked on 17 October 2026. Labels, registers and regulator rules change. Your hospital confirms the current position before anything is filed.

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.