Neurodevelopmental Effects Eija Gaily Kimford J. Meador Introduction The increased risk of major malformations after prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been established by research extending over three decades…
General Principles: Teratogenicity of Antiepileptic Drugs Mark S. Yerby Dina Battino Georgia D. Montouris Introduction Over the past two decades advances in the management of epilepsy and an increased armamentarium…
Long-term Adverse Events Alison M. Pack Barry E. Gidal Introduction Treatment with an antiepileptic drug (AED) may be prolonged. Recognizing long-term adverse effects of AEDs will have a significant effect…
Idiosyncratic Adverse Reactions Munir Pirmohamed Santiago Arroyo Introduction A perusal of the product information sheets for all antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) reveals a long list of adverse effects. Fortunately, the majority…
Dose-Related Side Effects Dieter Schmidt Steven C. Schachter Introduction Most antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) block seizure generation by altering membrane excitability, increasing postsynaptic inhibition, or modifying the synchronization of neuronal networks.34…
Efficacy of Antiepileptic Drugs W. Edwin Dodson Martin J. Brodie Introduction Since 1962, when the Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendments were passed, proof of effectiveness and evidence of reasonable safety have been…
Pharmacokinetics Emilio Perucca Introduction Pharmacokinetics is the study of changes in the concentration of drugs or drug metabolites within the body as a function of time. Its clinical importance stems…
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Svein I. Johannessen Philip N. Patsalos Torbjörn Tomson Emilio Perucca Introduction Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be defined as “the measurement and the clinical use of drug…
Age-Related Considerations Ann Jacoby Gus A. Baker Introduction The goals of therapy for people with epilepsy were discussed in an earlier chapter. They can be seen as being broadly concerned…
Quantitative Measures of Assessment Gus A. Baker Orrin Devinsky Joanne Taylor Joyce A. Cramer Introduction Quality of life refers to an individual’s overall well-being and daily functioning. Health-related quality of…
