Drugs for Epilepsy
February 1, 2013 (Issue: 126)
Treatment of epilepsy should begin with a single
drug, increasing the dosage gradually until seizures
are controlled or adverse effects become unacceptable.
If seizures persist, expert clinicians generally
prescribe at least one and sometimes a...more
1. E Perucca and T Tomson. The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy in adults. Lancet Neurol 2011; 10:446.
2. WH Chung et al. Medical genetics: a marker for Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Nature 2004; 428:486.
3. P Chen et al. Carbamazepine-induced toxic effects and HLA-B*1502 screening in Taiwan. N Engl J Med 2011; 364:1126.
4. Clobazam (Onfi) for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2012; 54:18.
5. EP Vining. Ethosuximide in childhood absence epilepsy - older and better. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:843.
6. Ezogabine (Potiga) for epilepsy. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2012; 54:65.
7. Gabapentin encarbil (Horizant) for restless legs syndrome. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2011; 53:70.
8. Lacosamide for epilepsy. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2009; 51:50.
9. AJ Rowan et al. New onset geriatric epilepsy: a randomized study of gabapentin, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine. Neurology 2005; 64:1868.
10. TA Glauser et al. Ethosuximide, valproic acid, and lamotrigine in childhood absence epilepsy. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:790.
11. EC De Los Reyes. Levetiracetam in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Pediatric Neurol 2004; 30:254.
12. J Cavitt and M Privitera. Levetiracetam induces a rapid and sustained reduction of generalized spike-wave and clinical absence. Arch Neurol 2004; 61:1604.
13. GL Krauss et al. Randomized phase III study 306: adjunctive perampanel for refractory partial-onset seizures. Neurology 2012; 78:1408.
14. JA French et al. Adjunctive perampanel for refractory partial-onset seizures: randomized phase III study 304. Neurology 2012; 79:589.
15. JA French et al. Evaluation of adjunctive perampanel in patients with refractory partial-onset seizures: Results of randomized global phase III study 305. Epilepsia 2012 Aug 20 (epub).
16. Pregabalin (Lyrica) for neuropathic pain and epilepsy. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:75.
17. Pregabalin (Lyrica) for fibromyalgia. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2007; 49:77.
18. Rufinamide (Banzel) for epilepsy. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2009; 51:18.
19. G Kluger et al. Adjunctive rufinamide in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a long-term, open-label extension study. Acta Neurol Scand 2010; 122:202.
20. V Biton et al. Arandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of rufinamide as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures. Epilepsia 2011; 52:234.
21. Topiramate (Topamax) for prevention of migraine. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:9.
22. Two new drugs for weight loss. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2012; 54:69.
23. Vigabatrin (Sabril) for epilepsy. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2010; 52:14.
24. SE Mohammadianenejad et al. Zonisamide versus topiramate in migraine prophylaxis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Clin Neuropharmacol 2011; 34:174.
25. KM Gadde et al. Zonisamide for weight reduction in obese adults: a 1-year randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 2012; 172:1557.
26. CM Flowers et al. Seizure activity and off-label use of tiagabine. N Engl J Med 2006; 354:773.
27. C O’Dell et al. Rectal diazepam gel in the home management of seizures in children. Pediatr Neurol 2005; 33:166.
28. E Patorno et al. Anticonvulsant medications and the risk of suicide, attempted suicide, or violent death. JAMA 2010; 303:1401.
29. A Arana et al. Suicide-related events in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:542.
30. DS Reddy. Clinical pharmacokinetic interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormonal contraceptives. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2010; 3:183.
31. CL Harden et al. Practice parameter update: management issues for women with epilepsy–focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): teratogenesis and perinatal outcomes: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society. Neurology 2009; 73:133.
32. J Jentink et al. Valproic acid monotherapy in pregnancy and major congenital malformations. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:2185.
33. KJ Meador et al. Effects of fetal antiepileptic drug exposure: outcomes at age 4.5 years. Neurology 2012; 78:1207.
34. D Mølgaard-Nielsen and A Hviid. Newer-generation antiepileptic drugs and the risk of major birth defects. JAMA 2011; 305:1996.
35. S Hernández-Diaz et al. Comparative safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. Neurology 2012; 78:1692.
36. PB Pennell et al. Lamotrigine in pregnancy: clearance, therapeutic drug monitoring, and seizure frequency. Neurology 2008; 70:2130.
37. CL Harden et al. Practice parameter update: management issues for women with epilepsy–focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): vitamin K, folic acid, blood levels, and breastfeeding: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society. Neurology 2009; 73:142.
38. AS Kesselheim et al. Seizure outcomes following the use of generic versus brand-name antiepileptic drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drugs 2010; 70:605.
39. GL Krauss et al. Assessing bioequivalence of generic antiepilepsy drugs. Ann Neurol 2011; 70:221.
The Medical Letter is a subscriber-funded nonprofit organization that publishes critical appraisals of new prescription drugs and comparative reviews of drugs for common diseases.
Would you like to read the rest of this issue? Gain access below.
Subscribe
Subscriptions to
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics include:
- Print version published and mailed biweekly (26 issues/year)
- Unlimited online access to current and past issues (1988 - present)
- Mobile App
- FREE online per issue CME/CE
Gain access through your organization
Ask your librarian to consider an Institutional Subscription to The Medical Letter.
