Review of new antiepileptic drugs as initial therapy.

The new onset of epilepsy usually leads to initiation of treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Selection of the appropriate drug in this clinical situation is usually based on several factors, including efficacy for the suspected epilepsy type, tolerability, acute and long-term idiosyncratic side effects, pharmacokinetic interactions, possibility of rapid titration, formulation, and expense. Over the last several years, the choices for treatment in newly diagnosed epilepsy have increased because a number of new AEDs have been approved for use in monotherapy. This article reviews randomized, controlled studies that have evaluated the use of new AEDs in monotherapy.