Drug–Drug Interactions
Drug–Drug Interactions René H. Levy Blaise F.D. Bourgeois Houda Hachad Introduction Within the context of the pharmacologic treatment of epilepsy, the topic of drug interactions has received much attention. Because…
Neurodevelopmental Effects
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
