The comparative efficacy of antiepileptic drugs for partial and tonic-clonic seizures.

Studies of the efficacy of anticonvulsant drugs are difficult to undertake and historically have been of poor quality. Randomised comparisons of drugs are few in number, and have failed to detect significant differences between drugs. This is surprising in view of the strong feelings that many clinicians have about the relative efficacy of the drugs they use. A review of the literature emphasises the need for further studies in this field.