We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Review
Pharmacotherapy of focal epilepsy.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2014 August
INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition worldwide with significant psychosocial and physical morbidity. Its management requires expertise and good pharmacological knowledge of the available options.
AREAS COVERED: This review covers the management of focal epilepsy addressing the common questions arising through the patients' journey, including timing of starting initial treatment, monotherapy options, add-on treatment for refractory cases and withdrawal of medication during remission.
EXPERT OPINION: Initiating anti-epileptic drug (AED) treatment requires assessment of patient preferences and of evidence of benefit and harm. Evidence of benefit will come primarily from randomised controlled trials, although in epilepsy, most trials are undertaken to inform regulatory decision and have important limitations for informing clinical decisions. Evidence about harm may come not only from randomised trials but also from other sources. Most patients will start treatment following a second focal seizure. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine are good initial monotherapy options. Newer AEDs have proof of efficacy as monotherapy but evidence is insufficient to recommend them as first-line treatments. For refractory cases, there are an increasing number of AEDs available, but evidence of efficacy is primarily from placebo-controlled trials, and there is no robust evidence to inform a choice among treatments.
AREAS COVERED: This review covers the management of focal epilepsy addressing the common questions arising through the patients' journey, including timing of starting initial treatment, monotherapy options, add-on treatment for refractory cases and withdrawal of medication during remission.
EXPERT OPINION: Initiating anti-epileptic drug (AED) treatment requires assessment of patient preferences and of evidence of benefit and harm. Evidence of benefit will come primarily from randomised controlled trials, although in epilepsy, most trials are undertaken to inform regulatory decision and have important limitations for informing clinical decisions. Evidence about harm may come not only from randomised trials but also from other sources. Most patients will start treatment following a second focal seizure. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine are good initial monotherapy options. Newer AEDs have proof of efficacy as monotherapy but evidence is insufficient to recommend them as first-line treatments. For refractory cases, there are an increasing number of AEDs available, but evidence of efficacy is primarily from placebo-controlled trials, and there is no robust evidence to inform a choice among treatments.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app