title: [Treating epilepsy].
abstract: Epilepsy is not one single disease but a major symptom in a wide variety of brain disorders, hence better referred to as the epilepsies. Treating epilepsy requires expert knowledge about the disorders themselves and the various treatment options. The basis for optimal treatment is a correct diagnosis of the patient's type epilepsy and identification of seizure-provoking factors. The need for chronic drug treatment must be weighted against possible side effects. Several different drugs may be effective for a given type of seizure or epilepsy but drug effectiveness must be considered in relation to interactions and possible adverse effects. Even with optimal drug treatment, only about two thirds of patients achieve complete seizure control. In selected cases surgical treatment is very effective and should be considered in all patients who do not achieve seizure control within two years after having tried relevant antiepileptic drugs in optimal concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Nevrologisk avdeling for klinisk farmakologi, Rikshospitalet, Oslo. leif.gjerstad@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gjerstad
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taubøll
authors.forename: Geir Ketil
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Røste
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D038481:Anterior Temporal Lobectomy; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000187:drug effects; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012944:Social Support; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants