title: Update on anticonvulsant drugs.
abstract: In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration approved three medications for the treatment of epilepsy: rufinamide, lacosamide, and vigabatrin. In addition, extended-release formulations of lamotrigine and levetiracetam were approved recently. When added to the dozen medications for treating epilepsy, the choice is a luxury in terms of additional options, but also a challenge for practitioners to use them all with expertise. Recently, there has been much interest surrounding medications for epilepsy and their possible association with osteoporosis, safety during pregnancy, biological equivalence to generic versions, and possible association with higher rates of suicidality. This review discusses these issues and provides a current overview for the medical management of epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA. dc2223@mail.cumc.columbia.edu
authors.forename: Derek J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Carl W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bazil
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D017277:Drug Approval; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants