title: Practical strategies for switching to newer antiepileptic drugs.
abstract: Traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are associated with drug interactions and side effects that limit their safety and tolerability. Side effects of traditional AEDs are especially problematic for children and adolescents, women of childbearing age, and the elderly. Many patients with epilepsy may benefit from switching from a traditional AED to a newer agent because the newer agents are generally better tolerated and are less likely to cause drug interactions. Clinical studies have demonstrated improved therapeutic efficiency with better tolerability in patients switching from a traditional AED to lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate monotherapy or combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: New York University Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ruben I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Kuzniecky
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mortati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants