e36 Copyright © SLACK Incorporated
Abstract
CME
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects approximately 1% of the gen-
eral population. In addition, about 10% of the population experiences a seizure sometime
during life. The treatment options for epilepsy have come a long way from the bromides
to the current era in which we now have multiple treatment modalities, including medi-
cations, implantable devices, and surgery. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay for
treatment of epilepsy with about 70% of children achieving good control with medications
alone. The past decade has witnessed the emergence of multiple AEDs—with more than
24 AEDs to choose from presently. The newer drugs provide us with novel mechanisms
of action and improved safety profile. This expanded choice of AEDs has made it possible
to offer tailored-treatment plans based on unique patient profiles. However, such an ever-
increasing choice of medications also poses a challenge for the treating physician as far as
choosing the initial drug is concerned—especially because there is limited data comparing
the efficacy of one drug to the other. An additional humbling fact remains that, despite
an increase in the choice of medications, we are still only able to treat the symptoms of
seizures without making any significant progress in reversing or stopping the underlying
mechanism of epileptogenesis or in offering neuroprotection from epileptogenesis. There-
fore, it is not surprising that, despite the wide array of AED choices, the prevalence of drug-
resistant epilepsy has not improved. This article aims at giving a short overview of currently
available AEDs. [Pediatr Ann. 2015;44(2):e36-e42.]
Antiepileptic Drugs—A Review
Ram Sankaraneni, MBBS; and Deepak Lachhwani, MBBS, MD
Ram Sankaraneni, MBBS, is an Assis-
tant Professor, Department of Neurol-
ogy, Creighton University Medical Center.
Deepak Lachhwani, MBBS, MD, is the Chief
of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Address correspondence to Deepak
Lachhwani, MBBS, MD, Chief of Neurology,
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 112412,
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; email:
LachhwD@ClevelandClinicAbuDhabi.ae.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant
fnancial relationships to disclose.
doi: 10.3928/00904481-20150203-10
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