ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs are frequently associated with a risk of adverse effects, which have an impact on the tolerability and success of treatment. Patients who develop intolerable adverse effects have to discontinue treatment early after initiation or to switch to another antiepileptic drug. A long-term management strategy for the patients with such a long-lasting chronic disease as epilepsy should include both effective seizure control and early detection of adverse drug events, ensuring prognosis, prevention and minimizing side effects, which is quite important. All these measures are expected to improve adherence to treatment, quality of patients’ life and control of epilepsy.

Keywords

• antiepileptic treatment
• adverse effects