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New antiepileptic drugs
1Washington University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Newer antiepileptic drugs offer more flexible epilepsy treatment options. This review details emerging medications like gabapentin and topiramate, emphasizing their use in children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Epilepsy treatment historically relied on a limited set of standardized antiepileptic drugs.
- Recent years have seen the introduction of several new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with more anticipated.
- Established AEDs have a well-documented efficacy and side effect profile, unlike newer options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) available since 1993.
- To analyze recently published data on the efficacy and side effects of these novel AEDs.
- To specifically address the use of these newer AEDs in pediatric epilepsy management.
Main Methods:
- Review of background information on selected new AEDs.
- Analysis of recently published literature concerning these drugs.
- Inclusion of pediatric use data where available.
Main Results:
- Five newer antiepileptic drugs are discussed: gabapentin, lamotrigine, felbamate, vigabatrin, and topiramate.
- The full spectrum of efficacy and side effects for these newer AEDs is still under investigation.
- Pediatric data for newer AEDs is often limited and usage is frequently off-label.
Conclusions:
- Current epilepsy management requires increased flexibility due to the introduction of new AEDs.
- Clinicians must stay informed about emerging AEDs and accumulating clinical experience.
- Special attention is needed for pediatric epilepsy, given delayed pediatric studies and off-label prescribing.