title: Eslicarbazepine acetate: a new option for the treatment of focal epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy is a neurological condition with an increased probability of seizure occurrence through time. Although many anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) exist, they fail to treat seizures in 30% of patients with epilepsy. For these patients, new AEDs potentially more efficacious and safe are developed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in the treatment of patients with refractory epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature was carried out using PubMed central. A direct contact with the drug manufacturer and developer was made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ESL is an AED that acts by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels. It has proved efficacious in the treatment of patients with refractory focal-onset epilepsy with a good safety profile. Evaluation of its use for treating other epileptic syndromes and its role as an initial treatment option for patients with epilepsy is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Avenida Egas Moniz, 1649 - 028 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mestre
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003984:Dibenzazepines; C416835:eslicarbazepine acetate