First Time May Be Charm for Anti-Epileptic Drugs - CME Teaching Brief� - MedPage Today
GLASGOW, Scotland, Feb. 5 -- About half of adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy will have good control of their seizures with the first medication tried, and a majority of responders will be seizure free at the lowest dose, reported European investigators.
Action Points
* Explain to patients who ask this study indicates that either of two drugs -- controlled-release carbamazepine (Carbatrol) or levetiracetam (Keppra) -- is effective at preventing recurring seizures in adults who are newly diagnosed with epilepsy.
In a double-blind trial comparing Keppra (levetiracetam) with Carbatrol (controlled-release carbamazepine) in such patients, nearly three-fourths of those randomized to either medication were seizure-free on the last evaluated dose for at least six months, reported Martin J. Brodie, M.D., of the Western Infirmary here, and colleagues, in the Feb. 6 issue of Neurology.
Posted by gruwell at February 6, 2007 01:38 PM | TrackBack