Old and New Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies

Title: Old and New Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies

Volume: 2 Issue: 3

Author(s): Alberto Verrotti, Rita Greco, Raffaella Giannuzzi, Francesco Chiarelli and Giuseppe Latini

Affiliation:

Keywords: Epileptic patients, old antiepileptics, new antiepileptics, epilepsy

Abstract: Generalized epilepsies are a large group of epilepsies with different clinical aspects and prognosis. Many antiepileptic drugs are available for the treatment of these seizures. This paper reviews the evidence relating to the treatment of this group of epilepsies. Historically, the great majority of patients have been treated with “old” anticonvulsant drugs. Over recent years, there has been a marked improvement in the pharmacological armamentarium of physicians. Today, “new” antiepileptic drugs, such as lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate and zonisamide are useful tools in the treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsies.

Cite this article as:

Verrotti Alberto, Greco Rita, Giannuzzi Raffaella, Chiarelli Francesco and Latini Giuseppe, Old and New Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies, Current Clinical Pharmacology 2007; 2 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488407781668794