[Rational anti-epileptic polytherapy. Drug interactions and choice of treatment].
BACKGROUND
Following twenty years of antiepileptic biotherapy, monotherapy superseded this when it was shown to be equally effective, have fewer problems of drug interactions and the patients were more likely to actually take their drugs. However, the development of the so-called new antiepileptic drugs gives rational biotherapy a new chance.


OBJECTIVE
In this article we discuss the basis of reasoned polytherapy and some of the possible interactions between antiepileptic and other drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
When polytherapy is considered, antiepileptic drugs with different modes of action and profiles of adverse effects should be used. Some epileptic patients may attain control of their seizures with rational polytherapy. The drug reactions between the antiepileptic drugs themselves and with other drugs are frequent but not usually of clinical importance. We discuss some of the more relevant interactions. Choice of the initial antiepileptic drug is based on various factors, basically the type of seizure, age of the patient, epileptic syndrome, possibility of pregnancy, family and job considerations.
Salas-Puig
J
J
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General de Asturias, Oviedo, España. jsalasp@meditex.es
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Politerapia antiepiléptica racional. Interacciones medicamentosas y elección del tratamiento.