Choosing the right drug 2. Anticonvulsants used for second-line therapy, other anticonvulsants and alternative therapies

Abstract

Many epileptic patients will have satisfactory seizure control using the first-line anticonvulsants phenobarbital and/or bromide, as discussed in the first article of this series (In Practice, March 2013, vol 35, pp 106-113). However, some patients will continue to have an unacceptable number or severity of seizures despite adequate drug serum concentrations. Some patients have a compromised quality of life because of the adverse effects of their medication. In this article, the anticonvulsant drugs used for second-line therapy are discussed, together with other anticonvulsants and alternative therapies.