Epilepsy that develops after craniotomy is secondary epilepsy, also called symptomatic epilepsy, and the cause may be an injury caused by a primary intracranial disease or an unavoidable injury caused by craniotomy. This type of epilepsy requires long-term oral medication for treatment and control. Carbamazepine is preferred if the patient has no other contraindications, and oxcarbazepine may be used in elderly patients and children. If carbamazepine is not tolerated, sodium valproate may also be considered. Symptomatic epilepsy is more difficult to control, and if monotherapy is not effective and blood levels have reached the high limit of normal or adverse effects have occurred, a second drug combination can also be added, often with the addition of levetiracetam or lamotrigine, for a course of at least two and a half to three years.