Because many cases of epilepsy have no known cause, it is difficult to prevent epilepsy. However, people can reduce their risk of brain injury, which is one of the causes of seizure, by wearing protective headgear while riding a bike or motorcycle or while playing contact sports. In some cases, people who experience an isolated seizure may be prescribed seizure medications for a short period of time until the underlying cause of the seizure is identified. This may reduce the risk of developing epilepsy after a first seizure.

Pregnant women can prevent epilepsy in their children by obtaining appropriate prenatal care to reduce the risk of the fetus developing neurological problems.