title: [Role of monotherapy with new antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of childhood epilepsy].
abstract: In this paper we review the current information regarding the use of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used as monotherapy in children. We specifically include the following AEDs: lamotrigine (Lamictal), topiramate (Topamax), zonisamide (Zonegran), levetiracetam (Keppra), and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal). All of these AEDs have a broad spectrum of action in the treatment of partial and generalized seizures, except Oxcarbazepine, which is effective only in partial seizures. It is unclear whether or not monotherapy with the new AEDs offers higher efficacy and/or lower side effects compared to classic AEDs (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or valproate) thereby significantly improving the quality of life in children with epilepsy. More studies are needed to answer these questions.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Neurología, Departamento de Pediatría, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia PA 19134, USA. ignacio.valencia@drexelmed.edu
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Legido
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D014227:Triazines; C476610:oxcarbamazepine; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D000078305:Zonisamide; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D010889:Piracetam