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Tolerability and Safety of Commonly Used Antiepileptic Drugs in Adolescents and Adults: A Clinician’s Overview

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Abstract

This paper discusses the issues surrounding the tolerability and safety of the commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in adolescents and adults. The content includes dose-related adverse effects, idiosyncratic reactions, behavioural and psychiatric comorbidities, chronic problems, enzyme induction and teratogenesis. Twenty-one AEDs are discussed in chronological order of their introduction into the UK, starting with phenobarbital and ending with brivaracetam. Wherever possible, advice is given on anticipating, recognising and managing these issues and thereby improving the lives of people with epilepsy, most of whom will need to take one or more of these agents for life. Avoidance of side effects will increase the possibility of achieving and maintaining long-term seizure freedom. Alternatively, adverse events from AEDs will substantially reduce quality of life and often result in higher healthcare costs.

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  1. Epilepsy Unit, West Glasgow ACH-Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ, Scotland, UK

    Martin J Brodie

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Martin Brodie serves on the scientific advisory boards of Eisai, UCB Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, Bial, GW Pharmaceuticals and Takeda. He is on the speakers’ bureau for Eisai, UCB Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, NewBridge, Sanofi Aventis and Abbott and has accepted travel grants for scientific meetings from Eisai, UCB Pharma and Lundbeck.

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Brodie, M.J. Tolerability and Safety of Commonly Used Antiepileptic Drugs in Adolescents and Adults: A Clinician’s Overview. CNS Drugs 31, 135–147 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-016-0406-8

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