Key points
stroke, post‐stroke epilepsy, seizures
STROKE, RECRUITMENT

Animal models have demonstrated a potential antiepileptogenic effect for eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL).A Phase II study has been designed to assess whether ESL treatment for 1 month can prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke.Patients at high risk of developing post‐stroke epilepsy received ESL 800 mg/d or placebo, within 120 hours after stroke occurrence.Despite design and recruitment challenges, 125 patients have been randomized and the study is currently ongoing.The study will help address the current lack of evidence for the use of antiseizure medications to prevent post‐stroke epilepsy.