Spectrum of activity of new antiepileptic drugs

Abstract

Long-term drug therapy is the most common method of treatment for controlling seizures in patients with epilepsy. In 1990, there were only 5 frequently used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) being prescribed in the US. Now, that number has more than doubled and additional candidates are awaiting regulatory approval or are in the development pipeline. While the increase in the number of agents available has increased the treatment options for physicians and patients, it has also made appropriate drug selection for an individual patient more difficult. The spectrum of activity of new AEDs in the context of which patients will benefit from these drugs was reviewed at a symposium session of the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting [ Boston, US; December 1997 ].