Drugs for epilepsy
Article Abstract:
There are a number of drugs available for treatment of epileptic seizures. Patients should be treated with only one drug at first and the dose should be increased gradually. Alternative drugs should be tried if higher doses cause toxicity or an increase in side effects. Two drugs should be used together only if an alternative drug has already been tried. The first choices for treating primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures are carbamazepine or phenytoin. Valproate also appears to be effective, but Food and Drug Administration approval specifies that the drug be used only for treatment of absence seizures or multiple seizure types that include absence seizures. Alternative drugs for treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures include lamotrigine, primidone and phenobarbital. Carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproate are also appropriate for treatment of partial seizures. Alternative drugs include primidone and phenobarbital with lamotrigine and gabapentin as adjunctive treatments. Ethosuximide or valproate are recommended for treating absence seizures. Valproate is recommended for treating atonic, myoclonic and atypical absence seizures.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1995
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Lamotrigine for epilepsy
Article Abstract:
Lamotrigine appears to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with poorly controlled partial epileptic seizures. Lamotrigine is sold by Burroughs Wellcome under the name Lamictal. Lamotrigine is taken orally. The effectiveness of lamotrigine was evaluated in three, six-month, placebo-controlled trials in 355 patients with poorly controlled seizures. The frequency of seizures decreased by half or more in 20% to 33% of patients taking 150 to 500 milligrams of lamotrigine in addition to their other anti-epileptics. A 48-week trial of lamotrigine alone in treating newly diagnosed seizures indicated that lamotrigine was as effective as carbamazepine, another anti-epileptic. However, 27% of patients on carbamazepine withdrew from the study because of side effects compared to only 15% of those on lamotrigine. Side effects of lamotrigine include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, rash and dizziness. Some patients have required hospitalization for treatment of their rashes.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1995
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Two new drugs for epilepsy
Article Abstract:
The FDA has approved two drugs for treating epilepsy: oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam. Sold under the trade name Trileptal, oxcarbazepine is related to carbamazepine (Tegretol). It is about as effective as Tegretol but much more expensive. It can interact with other drugs or change their metabolism. Levetiracetam is sold under the trade name Keppra and is not related to any other anticonvulsive drug. It has few interactions with other drugs and can be added to other anticonvulsants in the early stages of treatment.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 2000
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