OBJECTIVE To examine outcomes at age 4.5 years and compare to earlier ages in children with fetal antiepileptic drug (AED) exposure. METHODS The NEAD Study is an ongoing prospective observational multicenter study, which enrolled pregnant women with epilepsy on AED monotherapy (1999-2004) to determine if differential long-term neurodevelopmental effects exist across 4 commonly used AEDs (carb...

Understanding the consumption patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is important since epilepsy generates a large percentage of healthcare costs and the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs may have a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. This is why it may be beneficial to document consumption patterns among the epileptic population of the Western Málaga district. Since the o...

Lamotrigine is licensed for first-line monotherapy use in the United Kingdom but many physicians have been reluctant to use it because of its perceived increased cost over conventional first-line antiepileptic medication. Clinical trials, however, have suggested that it has equivalent efficacy to conventional drugs in this role, with a significantly reduced side effect profile. It has been the ...

BACKGROUND Studies have shown a correlation between bipolar disorder and diabetes mellitus. It is unclear if this correlation is a part of common pathophysiological pathways, or if medication for bipolar disorder has negative effects on blood sugar regulation. METHODS The Norwegian prescription database was analyzed. Prescriptions for lithium, lamotrigine, carbamazepine and valproate were use...

Development of epilepsy services in the northern region has included a baseline audit of the availability of pre-conceptual advice, AED prescribing, folic acid usage, vitamin K administration and pregnancy outcome in women with epilepsy which we now report. Patients, identified by community midwives, complete a standardized interview questionnaire with a research nurse. Delivery outcome is reco...

Results In a recent meta-analysis, efficacy for mania compared to placebo was demonstrated for all studied antipsychotics, lithium and selected antiepileptic medications, such as carbamazepine and valproic acid. Conversely, lamotrigine and topiramate were not superior to placebo. The pooled effect sizes of the agents separating from placebo ranged from 0.23 (small) to 0.66 (moderate), with over...

Development of epilepsy services in the northern region has included a baseline audit of the availability of pre-conceptual advice, AED prescribing, folic acid usage, vitamin K administration and pregnancy outcome in women with epilepsy which we now report. Patients, identified by community midwives, complete a standardized interview questionnaire with a research nurse. Delivery outcome is reco...

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Lamotrigine is licensed for first-line monotherapy use in the United Kingdom but many physicians have been reluctant to use it because of its perceived increased cost over conventional first-line antiepileptic medication. Clinical trials, however, have suggested that it has equivalent efficacy to conventional drugs in this role, with a significantly reduced side effect profile. It has been the ...

Accumulating evidence suggests that at least some novel anticonvulsants may have mood-stabilizing properties. This paper reviews the literature for empirical studies of this topic. Lamotrigine has the most evidence in favor of its efficacy, with two double-blind studies in which it was more efficacious than placebo in the treatment of bipolar depression. However, it is associated with a 1/1000 ...