Last update: |
||
01-Mar-2001
|
Arch Hellen Med, 17(5), September-October 2000, 518-523
BRIEF REVIEW
Basic principles of antiepileptic treatment
N. TRIANTAFYLLOU
Department of Neurology, University of Athens, Eginition
Hospital, Athens, Greece
The reducion of antiepileptic therapy to routine prescription is poor medical
practice. The choice of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) should be based on the type
of seizures and dosage should follow well-defined pharmacokinetic principles.
Initial dosage, maintenance dosage, the duration of treatment and the tapering
off of AEDs shoud follow established practice. Overtreatment and unnecessary
polytherapy are detrimental to both patients and their social environment. Such
pitfalls of antiepileptic treatment can be avoided only by applying well-rounded
knowledge of the principles of antiepileptic therapy.
Key words: AEDs, Antiepileptic drugs, Antiepileptic therapy.