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7 - Antiepileptic drugs and other treatments for epilepsy

from Part II - Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2009

By
Jacqueline A. French
Edited by
Martha J. Morrell  and
Kerry L. Flynn
Jacqueline A. French
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Martha J. Morrell
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Kerry L. Flynn
Affiliation:
Columbia-Presbyterian Cancer Center, New York
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Summary

The mainstay of epilepsy treatment is medication. Fortunately, because of a great deal of research in antiepileptic therapy, we now have twice as many antiepileptic drugs available as we did 10 years ago. This is exciting news for people with epilepsy and for their health-care providers. However, it means that antiepileptic drug choice is more complicated. The health-care provider considers seizure type, possible side effects, dosing schedule, safety, and cost in selecting a medication for each individual.

Dr Jacqueline French is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been involved in the trials leading to the release of all of the new antiepileptic medications, and writes about this topic as well as lecturing to neurologists all over the world.

This chapter provides a comprehensive and comprehensible review of the major antiepileptic drugs, which will be of interest to anyone taking this type of medication. More information about antiepileptic drugs can be found on the Epilepsy Foundation's website at www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

MJM

Once epilepsy is diagnosed, the next step is to decide whether treatment is indicated and, if it is, the best treatment choice. The decision to start medication implies that the benefits to be gained (eliminating or reducing seizure activity) outweigh the potential risks (side effects) and inconvenience. By deciding to take medication, a patient enters into a partnership with her physician.

Keywords

antiepileptic drugsdose-related side effectsdrug levelsepilepsy treatmentvagal nerve stimulatorseizuresphenytoin
Type
Chapter
Information
Women with Epilepsy
A Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues
 , pp. 68 - 76
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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References

Brodie, MJ, Dichter, MA. Antiepileptic drugs. N Engl J Med 1996; 334(3):168–75Google Scholar
Cramer, JA, Mattson, RH, Scheyer, RD, French, J. Review of new antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia 1998; 39(2):233–4Google Scholar
Dichter, MA, Brodie, MJ. New antiepileptic drugs. N Engl J Med 1996; 334(24):1583–90Google Scholar
Schachter, SC. Antiepileptic drug therapy: general treatment principles and applications for special patient populations. Epilepsia 1999; 40(Suppl. 9):S20–5Google Scholar

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