In this broad overview of seizure management, Kathryn Davis, MD, examines the epidemiology and pathophysiology of seizure and the current considerations for treatment, which now include a new generation of non-enzyme-inducing drugs, particularly levetiracetam and lacosamide. Dr. Davis notes that while the latter is in current clinical trials, both drugs offer manifold advantages over the earlier enzyme-inducing drugs. These include use as monotherapy, absence of drug-drug interactions and mild adverse-event profiles. Dr. Davis also discusses the controversy over the use of valproic acid for glioblastoma, the role of surgery and laser ablation, and the parameters for cessation of the anti-epileptic drugs used to control seizures.
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