Drug therapy for epilepsy

Epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affects 1 to 3 percent of the U.S. population. In addition to six drugs classically used either alone or in combination to control epilepsy, three new agents have recently become available. The choice of therapy for each patient must be individualized, based on an accurate determination of the type of epilepsy, an understanding of drug pharmacokinetics, interactions and side-effect profiles, and issues related to patient acceptability and compliance. Approximately 70 percent of patients currently achieve good control of epilepsy, and it is hoped that new agents and improved therapeutic management can substantially increase this percentage.