A new generation of anticonvulsants for the treatment of epilepsy in children |
| |
| Authors: | O Carter Snead III and Elizabeth J Donner |
| |
| Institution: | Division of Neurology and Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario |
| |
| Abstract: | Over the past 12 years, a number of new anticonvulsant drugs have been introduced for the treatment of childhood epilepsy. The present article reviews these new agents and provides the considerations one should use in selecting an antiepileptic drug for use in children. While in some cases the newer antiepileptic drugs have a more favourable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile than the older drugs, there appears to be no objective evidence that any currently available antiepileptic drug is superior in terms of therapeutic efficacy. |
| |
| Keywords: | Antiepileptic drug Epilepsy Epilepsy syndromes Seizure Status epilepticus |
|
|
