Initiating antiepileptic drug treatment and characteristics of drugs

This chapter covers the main steps involved in the initiation of antiepileptic drug therapy. Aspects covered specifically include the decision whether or not to initiate treatment, the selection process of a drug of first choice for a given patient with a particular seizure type or epilepsy syndrome, and the process of initiating therapy with the selected drug of first choice. Suggested choices of antiepileptic drugs by seizure type or epilepsy syndrome are summarized in a table. In an appendix, these drugs are reviewed individually with regard to their clinical use. The emphasis is on initial dose, dosage escalation, common and serious adverse effects, baseline evaluation, monitoring of therapy, and relevant drug interactions.