Current Drug Treatments of Epilepsy

Antiepileptic drugs are mainstay of epilepsy treatment. Recently the numbers of antiepileptic drugs have increased. Most patients with epilepsy are controlled by a single antiepileptic drug well. Some of patients that controlled have medication side effects and occasional seizures. Approximately 30% of patients with partial epilepsy and 25% of patients with generalized epilepsy are not well controlled by antiepileptic drugs. These patients are often receiving multiple antiepileptic drugs, and have disabling seizure and side effects. Second generations (newer) of antiepileptic drugs are safer and better tolerated than the older antiepileptic drugs, but this is not enough for epileptic patients. In a big study with established antiepileptic drugs, 40% of patients that uncontrolled with a single drug can be controlled better by two drugs, but 9% of these patients became free seizures. A meta-analysis showed when newer antiepileptic drugs add to older, can be controlled 12-29% more than before in patients and reduced 50% of rate of epileptic attacks. Surgery and Vagus nerve stimulation are important in refractory epileptic patients. Children, elderly, women and patients with developmental delays need special considerations.