Newer anti-epileptic drugs.

During the past few years, a number of drugs have been added to the anti-epileptic arsenal. This review focusses on five of these drugs which have undergone extensive trials: Vigabatrin, Lamotrigine, Gabapentin, Felbamate and Oxcarbazepine. Some of these antiepileptic drugs appear to be helpful for treatment of catastrophic childhood epilepsies. Vigabatrin appears promising in children with infantile spasms who do not respond to ACTH or Prednisolone. Children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome may respond to treatment with Lamotrigine or Vigabatrin. Gabapentin and vigabatrin have proved to be effective in refractory partial seizures. Oxcarbazepine, a ketoderivative of carbamazepine, is as effective as Carbamazepine but has a better safety profile. Lesser neurotoxicity and fewer drug interactions is another advantage with these drugs. However monitoring is required to determine the long term safety with their usage. These drugs have a definite role in childhood epilepsies refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs.