Adverse Effects of Antiseizure Medications in Adults with Focal Epilepsy

Findings from an observational study suggest that self-reported adverse events are common in people with focal epilepsy when starting antiseizure medications, especially in those with comorbid psychiatric conditions.

Adverse effects of antiseizure medication (ASM) can prevent people with epilepsy from reaching the effective therapeutic dose needed to control seizures. To better inform choice of ASM in people with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy, investigators compared self-reported adverse experiences in 225 adults from the prospective, international, observational Human Epilepsy Project study who used carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, or oxcarbazepine as monotherapy within 4 months of treatment initiation and completed both the Adverse Event Profile (AEP) and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The AEP classifies frequency of adverse events as never, rarely, sometimes, or always in the preceding 28 days. The MINI identifies cu…

Reviewing Author

Tanya McDonald, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Epilepsy Society; American Heart Association

Tanya McDonald, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Epilepsy Society; American Heart Association

Adverse Effects of Antiseizure Medications in Adults with Focal Epilepsy

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Reviewing Author