Practical considerations in anticonvulsant therapy--Part 2.

Epilepsy is, for many patients, a lifelong condition that requires treatment with powerful drugs whose doses must be carefully titrated to avoid both breakthrough seizures and toxicity. The medication regimens used to treat epilepsy are further complicated by the fact that most seizure medications are metabolized in the liver and have the potential for serious pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions with many other medications. Successful management of epilepsy requires a high degree of cooperation among the patient, the pharmacist, and the treating physician. Such cooperation can ensure that the appropriate treatment and drug preparation are selected, compliance is maintained, and dangerous drug-drug interactions are avoided.