Zonisamide add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy
Abstract Background The majority of people with epilepsy have a good prognosis, and their seizures can be well controlled with the use of a single antiepileptic agent, but up to 30% develop dug‐resistant epilepsy, especially those with focal seizures. In this review, we summarised the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCT) of zonisamide, used as […]
Stiripentol add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the Cochrane Review first published in 2014, and last updated in 2018. For nearly 30% of people with epilepsy, seizures are not controlled by current treatments. Stiripentol is an antiepileptic drug (AED) that was developed in France and was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in […]
Clonazepam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in 2018, Issue 5. Epilepsy affects over 70 million people worldwide, and nearly a quarter of patients with seizures have drug‐resistant epilepsy. People with drug‐resistant epilepsy have increased risks of premature death, injuries, psychosocial dysfunction, and a reduced quality of life. Objectives […]
Oxcarbazepine add-on for drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. In approximately 30% of epilepsy cases, seizures are uncontrolled by one antiepileptic drug (AED). These people require treatment with a combination of multiple AEDs and are described as having drug‐resistant epilepsy. Oxcarbazepine is a keto‐analogue of carbamazepine, an established AED, and can be used as an add‐on […]
Rapid versus slow withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs
Abstract Background The ideal objective of treating a person with epilepsy is to induce remission (free of seizures for some time) using antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and withdraw the AEDs without causing seizure recurrence. Prolonged usage of AEDs may have long‐term adverse effects. Hence, when a person with epilepsy is in remission, it is logical to […]
Topiramate add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy
Abstract Background The majority of people with epilepsy have a good prognosis and their seizures are controlled by a single antiepileptic drug. However, up to 20% of patients from population‐based studies, and up to 30% from clinical series (not population‐based), develop drug‐resistant epilepsy, especially those with focal‐onset seizures. In this review, we summarise the current […]
Tiagabine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy
Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects up to 1% of the population. Nearly 30% of people with epilepsy are resistant to currently available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and require treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs in combination. Tiagabine is one of the newer AEDs that can be used as an adjunct (add‐on) to […]
Sulthiame add-on therapy for epilepsy
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the Cochrane Review previously published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 10. Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, characterised by recurrent seizures. Most people respond to conventional antiepileptic drugs, however, around 30% will continue to experience seizures, despite treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs. Sulthiame, also known […]
Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures in viral encephalitis
Abstract Background Viral encephalitis is characterised by diverse clinical and epidemiological features. Seizures are an important clinical manifestation and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Patients may have seizures during the acute illness or they may develop after recovery. There are no recommendations regarding the use of antiepileptic drugs for the primary or secondary […]
Prophylactic drug management for febrile seizures in children
Abstract Background Febrile seizures occurring in a child older than one month during an episode of fever affect 2% to 4% of children in Great Britain and the United States and recur in 30%. Rapid-acting antiepileptics and antipyretics given during subsequent fever episodes have been used to avoid the adverse effects of continuous antiepileptic drugs. […]