Clinical pharmacology of anti-epileptic drugs: a summary of current information.

This compendium represents what we believe to be the most current and reliable pharmacological data on anticonvulsant drugs. The information presented is derived from determinations of the drugs in plasma or serum by gas--liquid chromatography in studies of the efficacy of anti-epileptic agents. We present information on the limitations of therapeutic concentration ranges, half-lives, active and inactive metabolites, and structure/activity relationships of anticonvulsant drugs. This report provides answers to many of the questions clinicians direct to anticonvulsant-monitoring laboratories. Information on other pharmacoloical variables supplements this review in the interest of the clinical investigator.