Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T21:23:43.609Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Antiepileptic Drug Selection and Adverse Effects: An Overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

J. Bruni Jr.*
Affiliation:
University of Toronto and Division of Neurology, The Wellesley Hospital, Toronto
*
The Wellesley Hospital, Room 318, Jones Building, 160 Wellesley Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 1J3
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In choosing an antiepileptic drug, not only efficacy but also potential adverse effects have to be considered. Adverse effects that have to be taken into account include acute and chronic systemic toxicity, cognitive side effects, and teratogenesis. Acute toxicity may be dose-related, allergic or an idiosyncratic reaction. Chronic toxicity may involve the nervous system or other organs. In determining the role of new antiepileptic drugs such as lamotrigine, vigabatrin, felbamate, and gabapentin a proper evaluation of both efficacy and adverse effects is required.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1994

References

REFERENCES

1.Covanis, A., Gupta, AK., Jeavens, PM.Sodium valproate: monotherapy and polytherapy. Epilepsia 1982; 23: 693700.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Wilder, BJ., Ramsay, RE., Murphy, JV., et al. Comparison of valproic acid and phenytoin in newly diagnosed tonic-clonic seizure. Neurology 1983; 33: 14741476.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Callaghan, N., Kenny, RA., O’Neill, B., et al. A prospective study between carbamazepine, phenytoin and sodium valproate as monotherapy in previously untreated adult epileptic patients. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1985, 48: 639644.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Turnbull, DM., Howell, D., Rawlins, MD., et al. Which drug for the adult epileptic patient: phenytoin or valproate? Br Med J 1985; 290:815819.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Mattson, RH., Cramer, JA., Collins, JF., et al. Comparison of carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone in partial and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures. N Engl J Med 1985; 313: 145151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Bourgeois, B., Beaumanoir, A., Blajev, B., et al. Monotherapy with valproate in primary generalized epilepsies. Epilepsia 1987; 28 (Suppl 2): S8S11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Chadwick, DW.Valproate monotherapy in the management of generalized and partial seizures. Epilepsia 1987; 28 (Suppl 2): S12S17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Dean, JC., Penry, JK.Valproate monotherapy in 30 patients with partial seizures. Epilepsia 1988; 29: 140144.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Mattson, RH., Cramer, JA., Collins, JF., et al. A comparison of valproate with carbamazepine for the treatment of complex partial seizures and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults. N Engl J Med 1992; 327: 765769.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Collaborative Group for Epidemiology of Epilepsy. Adverse reactions to antiepileptic drugs: a multicentre survey of clinical practice. Epilepsia 1986; 27: 323330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Chang, DKM., Shear, NH.Cutaneous reactions to anticonvulsants. Seminar Neurol 1992; 12: 329337.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Soman, M., Swenson, C.A possible case of carbamazepine-induced pancreatitis. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1985; 19: 925927.Google ScholarPubMed
13.Camfield, PR.Pancreatitis due to valproic acid. Lancet 1979; 1: 11981199.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Parker, PH., Helinek, GH., et al. Recurrent pancreatitis induced by valproic acid. Gastroenterology 1981, 80: 825828.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Williams, LH., Reynolds, RP., Emery, JL.Pancreatitis during sodium valproate treatment. Arch Dis Child 1983; 58: 543544.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Wyllie, E., Wyllie, R., Cruse, RP., et al. Pancreatitis associated with valproic acid therapy. Am J Dis Child 1984; 138: 912914.Google ScholarPubMed
17.Asconape, JJ., Penry, JK., Dreifuss, FE., et al. Valproate associated pancreatitis. Epilepsia 1993; 34: 177183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Zimmerman, H., Ishak, K.Valproate-induced hepatic injury: analyses of 23 fatal cases. Hepatology 1982; 2: 591597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Powell-Jackson, PR., Tredger, JM., Williams, R.Hepatotoxicity to sodium valproate. A review. Gut 1984; 25: 673681.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Dreifuss, FE., Santilli, N., Langer, DH., et al. Valproic acid hepatic fatalities: a retrospective study. Neurology 1987; 37: 379385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.Dreifuss, FE., Langer, DH., Moline, KA., et al. Valproic acid hepatic fatalities II. U.S. experience since 1984. Neurology 1989; 39: 201207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Albright, PS., Bruni, J.Pharmacokinetic interactions of antiepileptic drugs. Can J Neurol Sci 1984; 11: 247251.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Brodie, MJ.Drug interactions in epilepsy. Epilepsia 1992; 33 (Suppl 1): S13S22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Bahls, F., Ozuna, J., Ritchie, DE.Interactions between calcium channel blockers and the anticonvulsants carbamazepine and phenytoin. Neurology 1991; 41: 740742.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25.Pitlick, WH.Antiepileptic Drug Interactions. Demos Publications. New York, 1989.Google Scholar
26.Bruni, J.Epilepsy in adolescents and adults. Conn’s current therapy. Rakel, R.E., ed. Toronto: W.B. Saunders, 1993: 851860.Google Scholar
27.Bruni, J., Wilder, BJ.Toxicology of antiepileptic drugs. In: Vinken, and Bruyn, , eds. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Intoxications of the Nervous System, Vol 37, Pt 2. Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing Company, 1979: 199222.Google Scholar
28.Klar, LA.Gingival hyperplasia during Dilantin therapy: a survey of 312 patients. J Publ Health Dent 1973; 33: 180185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29.Dahllof, G., Modeer, T.The affect of a plaque control program on the development of phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth: a 2 year longitudinal study. J Clin Periodontol 1986; 13: 845849.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.Hall, WB: Dilantin hyperplasia: a preventable lesion. J Periodontol Res 1969; 4 (Suppl): 3637.Google Scholar
31.Phenytoin-Induced Teratology and Gingival Pathology. Hassel, T.M., Johnston, M.C., Dudley, K., eds. New York: Raven Press, 1980.Google Scholar
32.Trimble, MR.Anticonvulsant drugs and cognitive function: a review of the literature. Epilepsia 1987; 28 (Suppl 3): 537545.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33.Vining, EPG., Mellitis, ED., Dorsen, MM., et al. Psychologic and behavioural effects of antiepileptic drugs in children: a double blind comparison between phenobarbital and valproic acid. Pediatrics 1987; 80: 165174.Google Scholar
34.Reynolds, EH., Trimble, MR.Adverse neuropsychiatric effects of anticonvulsant drugs. Drugs 1985; 29: 570581.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35.Dodrill, CB.Diphenylhydantoin serum levels, toxicity and neuropsychological performance in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsia 1975; 16:593600.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36.Thompson, PJ., Trimble, MR.The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on cognitive function: relation to serum levels. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1983;46:227233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
37.Meador, KJ., Loring, DW., Huh, K., et al. Comparative cognitive effects of anticonvulsants. Neurology 1990; 40: 391394.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38.Meador, KJ., Loring, DW., Allen, ME., et al. Comparative cognitive effects of carbamazepine and phenytoin in health adults. Neurology 1991; 41: 15371540.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
39.Trimble, MR.Neurobehavioural effects of anticonvulsants. JAMA 1991; 265: 13071308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40.Smith, DB., Mattson, RH., Cramer, JA., et al. Results of a nationwide Veteran Administration Cooperative Study comparing the efficacy and toxicity of carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone. Epilepsia 1987; 28 (Suppl): S50S58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41.Dodrill, CB., Troupin, AS.Neuropsychological effects of carbamazepine and phenytoin: a reappraisal. Neurology 1991; 41: 141143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42.Kaneko, S., Otani, K., Kondo, T., et al. Malformation in infants of mothers with epilepsy receiving antiepileptic drugs. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 6874.Google ScholarPubMed
43.Dravet, C., Julian, C., Legras, C., et al. Epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs and malformations in children of women with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 51): 75, 82.Google ScholarPubMed
44.Koch, S., Losche, G., Jager-Roman, E., et al. Major and minor birth malformations and antiepileptic drugs. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 8388.Google ScholarPubMed
45.Tanganelli, P., Regesta, G.Epilepsy, pregnancy and major birth anomalies: an Italian prospective, controlled study. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 8993.Google ScholarPubMed
46.Lindhout, D., Omtzigt, JGC., Cornel, MC.Spectrum of neural tube defects in 34 infants prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 111118.Google ScholarPubMed
47.Gaily, E., Granstrom, M-L., Hiilesmaa, V., et al. Minor anomalites in offspring of epileptic mothers. J Pediatr 1988; 112: 520529.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
48.Rosa, FW.Spina bifida in infants of women treated with carbamazepine during pregnancy. N Engl J Med 1991; 324: 674677.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49.Dansky, LV., Andermann, E., Anderman, F., et al. Maternal epilepsy and congenital malformations: correlation with maternal plasma anticonvulsant levels during pregnancy. In: Janz, D., Dam, M., Richens, A., et al., eds. Epilepsy, Pregnancy and the Child. New York: Raven Press, 1982: 251258.Google Scholar
50.Jones, KL., Lacro, RV., Johnson, KA., et al. Pattern of malformations in the children of women treated with carbamazepine during pregnancy. N Engl J Med 1989; 320: 16611666. 1982: 251258.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
51.Robert, E., Rosa, FW.Maternal valproic acid and congenital neural tube defects. Lancet 1982; 2: 937.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
52.Lindhout, D., Schmidt, D.In-utero exposure to valproate and neural tube defects. Lancet 1986; 2: 13921393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
53.Valproate, spina bifida and birth defects registries (editorial). Lancet 1988; 2: 14041405.Google Scholar
54.Omtzig, JG., Los, FJ., Grobbee, DE., et al. The risk of spina bifida after first-trimester exposure to valproate in a prenatal cohort. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 119125.Google Scholar
55.Ramsay, RE.Advances in the pharmacotherapy of epilepsy. Epilepsia 1993; 34 (Suppl 5): S9S16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
56.Sachdeo, R., Kramer, LD., Rosenberg, A., et al. Felbamate monotherapy: controlled trial in patients with partial onset seizures. Ann Neurol 1992; 32: 386392.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
57.The Felbamate Study Group in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Efficacy of felbamate in childhood epileptic encephalopathy (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome). N Engl J Med 1993; 328: 2933.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
58.Schapel, GJ., Beran, RG., Vajda, FJE., et al. Double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study of lamotrigine in treatment of resistant partial seizures. Epilepsia 1991: 32 (Suppl): 58.Google Scholar
59.Risner, ME.Lamictal Study Group. Multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on, cross-over study of lamotrigine (Lamictal) in epileptic patients with partial seizures. Epilepsia 1990;31:619620.Google Scholar
60.Crawford, P., Ghadiali, E., Lane, R., et al. Gabapentin as an antiepileptic drug in man. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1987; 50: 682686.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
61.UK Gabapentin Study Group. Gabapentin in partial epilepsy. Lancet 1990; 335: 11141117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
62.Sivenius, J., Kalviainen, R., Ylinen, A., et al. Double-blind study of gabapentin in the treatment of partial seizures. Epilepsia 1991; 34: 539542.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
63.Reynolds, EH., Ring, HA., Farr, IN., et al. Open double-blind and long term study of vigabatrin in chronic epilepsy. Epilepsia 1991; 32: 530538.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
64.Sivenius, J., Ylinen, A., Murros, K., et al. Vigabatrin in drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Neurology 1991; 41: 562565.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
65.Browne, TR., Mattson, RH., Penry, JK., et al. Multicentre long-term safety and efficacy study of vigabatrin for refractory complex partial seizures. Neurology 1991; 41: 363364.CrossRefGoogle Scholar