[The treatment of epilepsy in medical conditions, geriatric and pregnant patients].
BACKGROUND
Treatment with antiepileptic drugs in patients with medical conditions, old age or pregnancy is associated with concomitant pathology and the specific physiopathological changes of age or pregnancy.


METHODS
The difficulties of treatment in special conditions are related to changes in the pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drugs, interaction with other medication and with concomitant treatment with drugs which may potentially cause convulsions. Also, the occurrence of a particular disorder or of pregnancy may lead to changes in the frequency of crises. Besides this, the side-effects of antiepileptic drugs may be more marked or more frequent in patients with several other conditions or in the elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of epilepsy in patients with associated medical disorders, old age or pregnancy requires knowledge of the behaviour of antiepileptic drugs and the physiopathology of these conditions.
Arroyo
S
S
Unidad de Epilepsia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, España. sarroyos@meditex.es
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Tratamiento de la epilepsia en enfermedades médicas, ancianos y gestantes.