AIIMS Launches Affordable Epilepsy Test for Safer Treatment

AIIMS, affordable epilepsy test, and safer epilepsy treatment are now at the center of a major healthcare initiative aimed at improving treatment outcomes for patients across India.

The new testing facility, introduced at the Neurosciences Centre of the hospital, will help doctors monitor how anti-epileptic medicines react inside a patient’s body. By checking drug levels in the blood, doctors can adjust medicine doses more accurately and reduce the risk of side effects or treatment failure.

The test is based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), a method used to measure the concentration of epilepsy medicines in the bloodstream. AIIMS has initially started monitoring two commonly prescribed drugs — levetiracetam and lamotrigine.

Doctors explained that the same dosage may affect patients differently depending on age, metabolism, body condition, and other medical factors. In many cases, incorrect dosage can either fail to control seizures or lead to harmful complications linked to epilepsy care.

Hospital officials said similar tests in private laboratories often cost between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000 for each medicine, making them difficult to afford for many families. AIIMS is currently offering the service free of cost and may later continue it at subsidised rates so that more patients can benefit from advanced neurological care without financial pressure.

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Experts at the institute believe the new facility will improve personalized epilepsy treatment for patients who need long-term medication and regular monitoring. Accurate drug-level testing can help doctors quickly identify whether a patient requires a change in dosage, leading to better seizure control and safer treatment outcomes for people living with neurological disorders.

Earlier this year, AIIMS had also introduced free monitoring tests for other anti-epileptic medicines including carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenobarbital, and phenytoin. The latest expansion reflects the institute’s growing focus on affordable healthcare, medical technology, and patient-focused treatment solutions.

Doctors added that the procedure requires only a small blood sample, and reports will be available online through hospital portals. The initiative is expected to reduce treatment delays, improve patient safety, and make advanced epilepsy care accessible to a larger number of people across the country.