Epilepsy and COVID-19: Management of Patients and Optimization of Antiepileptic Treatment in the Pandemic

Abstract

There are as yet no data pointing to any increase in the incidence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) or a more severe course of illness in patients with epilepsy. However, considering the high prevalence of epilepsy in patients over 60 years of age, the high comorbidity of epilepsy and a whole series of somatic diseases, and the need to maintain the opportunity for constant access to antiepileptic medications and follow-up of epilepsy patients, we can expect a whole set of difficulties in the management of these patients in the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article addresses the main principles of the management of epilepsy patients in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic: the need to follow regimes; preservation of regular and continuous taking of antiepileptic drugs, including consideration of interdrug interactions; and switching patients to i.v. forms of antiepileptic drugs where necessary.