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.