Novel considerations on drug safety in epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy is a serious chronic neurological disorder, generally associated with seizures, affecting all age groups. Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy aims to control or at least decrease the incidence of seizures but does not have a disease-modifying effect. Thus, therapy is often lifelong, resulting in an increase in the possibility of adverse events [1]. Over 30 AEDs are presently available, with varying modes of action, yet their adverse event profiles are remarkably similar. These range from neurological effects (sedation, visual disturbances, cognitive impairment); laboratory changes (hyponatremia, changes in liver enzymes, leucopenia), endocrine and metabolic effects (osteoporosis and altered connective tissue metabolism), teratogenicity, and weight changes. An understanding of the risk/benefit balance and the safety profile in the use of AEDs is thus key to the implementation of an individual clinical strategy in the care of these patients. [excerpt]