TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating the new antiepileptic drugs
T2 - Balancing benefits and adverse effects
AU - Privitera, Michael D.
AU - Bergey, Gregory K.
AU - Smith, Michael C.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding for this teaching monograph has been provided through an unrestricted educational grant by UCB Pharma. Sponsorship of this review does not imply the sponsor's agreement with the views expressed herein. Although every effort has been made to ensure that drug usage and other information are presented accurately in this publication, the ultimate responsibility rests with the prescribing physician. Neither the publishers, the sponsors, nor the participants, can be held responsible for errors or for any consequences arising from the use of information contained herein. Readers are strongly urged to consult any relevant primary literature. No claims or endorsements are made for any drug or compound at present under clinical investigation.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Eight new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been introduced since 1993 and clinicians are now faced with a complex array of treatment choices. In evaluating the newly available drugs, it is important to analyze the different aspects of these agents. Some of the more important characteristics to be aware of are efficacy, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of action. One of the factors complicating treatment choice is the absence of comparative head-to-head clinical trials between the new AEDs. While in some cases it is possible to draw conclusions from the results of randomized, controlled triah that have tested medications against placebo or older drugs, often physicians have to rely on open-label data or personal experiences in selecting the right medications for specific cases. Trends suggest that the new AEDs are more efficacious compared to the older AEDs, but the major potential benefits of the new drugs are their better safety, tolerability, and cognitive profiles and more desirable pharmacokinetics. It is obvious that there is a need to redefine the concept of "successful" treatment of epilepsy. Patients need to be individually evaluated and, in addition to controlling seizures, tolerability should be taken into consideration in finding the most appropriate treatment regimen.
AB - Eight new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been introduced since 1993 and clinicians are now faced with a complex array of treatment choices. In evaluating the newly available drugs, it is important to analyze the different aspects of these agents. Some of the more important characteristics to be aware of are efficacy, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of action. One of the factors complicating treatment choice is the absence of comparative head-to-head clinical trials between the new AEDs. While in some cases it is possible to draw conclusions from the results of randomized, controlled triah that have tested medications against placebo or older drugs, often physicians have to rely on open-label data or personal experiences in selecting the right medications for specific cases. Trends suggest that the new AEDs are more efficacious compared to the older AEDs, but the major potential benefits of the new drugs are their better safety, tolerability, and cognitive profiles and more desirable pharmacokinetics. It is obvious that there is a need to redefine the concept of "successful" treatment of epilepsy. Patients need to be individually evaluated and, in addition to controlling seizures, tolerability should be taken into consideration in finding the most appropriate treatment regimen.
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U2 - 10.1017/S1092852900002145
DO - 10.1017/S1092852900002145
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0034876253
SN - 1092-8529
VL - 6
SP - 599
EP - 603
JO - CNS spectrums
JF - CNS spectrums
IS - 7
ER -