ABSTRACT

The majority of epileptic seizures are controlled with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Whether or not to start treatment following an initial unprovoked seizure should be decided on an individualized basis; and, the risk of seizure recurrence versus possible side-effects and social consequences of chronic AED treatment should be evaluated. Main risk factors for seizure recurrence can be summarized as the presence of focal seizure types, organic brain lesion, focal neurologic abnormality, previous neurodevelopmental retardation, specific EEG abnormality and positive family history of epilepsy. The AED chosen for initial therapy should be one that is highly effective for a particular seizure type and epilepsy syndrome, as also, that is safe and well tolerated. Monotherapy is the goal in epilepsy treatment. If the first two monotherapies fail, combinations of AEDs should be tried. Withdrawal of AED therapy should be considered in most children after two years without seizures. AEDs should be tapered slowly rather than halted abruptly.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs, childhood, epilepsy, treatment