[Antiepileptic drugs]

A series of new antiepileptic compounds have been marked over the past two decades. The choice of the right antiepileptic drug is not always easy. It depends on its efficacy in specific seizure types and epilepsies, and on its tolerability in individual patients. When using antiepileptic drugs, the clinician should be aware of their potential for aggravating specific forms of epilepsy, especially idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The characteristics of "older" and "newer" antiepileptic drugs are reviewed here. We report their individual characteristics including mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosage, indications, side effects, interactions and give some practical advices for their use. This article provides detail informations about antiepileptic drugs useful for neurologists, neuropediatricians, pharmacologists but also for all persons that can have in charge an epileptic patient.