Valproate and Mortality in Adults with Dementia Starting Epilepsy Meds

While there is growing evidence comparing the efficacy of different antiseizure medications in older patients, information on the relative safety of these medications in patients with dementia is limited. In this study, researchers used Swedish registry data to examine long-term risks for death and cardiovascular death in nearly 5800 adults with dementia who were newly prescribed antiseizure medications — usually carbamazepine, valproate, levetiracetam, or lamotrigine — after an epilepsy diagnosis.