[Medical treatment of epilepsy]

The most important single factor in achieving control of epileptic seizures is a correct diagnosis of seizures and syndromes. It is essential to realise that treatment should be directed against the rate of seizures, not the plasma levels. Monotherapy with the new retarded formulations of carbamazepine or valproate should be the first drugs chosen. The most promising new antiepileptic drugs are oxcabazepine and vigabatrin, which should be made available to all neurologists.