Time to Start Calling Things by Their Own Names? The Case for Antiseizure Medicines

Abstract

Medicines currently used in the management of epilepsy have been developed to suppress seizures, and they have no known impact on the underlying disease. Using the term “antiepileptic” to describe these compounds is misleading because it suggests an action on the epilepsy itself. Pharmacological agents that have a merely symptomatic effect should be referred to as antiseizure medicines. Using appropriate terminology is especially important at a time innovative treatments targeting the development of epilepsy and its comorbidities are being actively pursued.