Varying uses of anticonvulsant medications

In this article, we identify commonly prescribed anticonvulsant medications and characterize central nervous system (CNS) reasons for use. Primary care physicians prescribe 37 percent of all anticonvulsant medications in the US. Psychiatrists are the second highest prescribers with a 19-percent share, and neurologists account for 16 percent of all anticonvulsant medication prescriptions. The top three agents prescribed by psychiatrists are clonazepam, lamotrigine, and divalproex; neurologists most commonly prescribe topiramate, gabapentin, and levetiracetam. Anticonvulsant medications most commonly prescribed by psychiatrists are primarily used for bipolar disorder and anxiety. In contrast, these indications account for less than 10 percent of uses for the top products commonly prescribed by neurologists.