Pharmacotherapy of epilepsy: new solutions to old problems

Abstract

The literature review provides an update on recent advances in antiepileptic pharmacotherapy. The article considers the mechanisms of action of the drugs, the range of efficacy, side effects and enzyme-inducing properties, potential teratogenicity. A review of the literature revealed some of the problems of patients with epilepsy remaining unresolved to this day. Despite an increase in the number of anticonvulsants in recent years, one-third of patients are pharmacoresistant to antiepileptic therapy and continue to suffer from seizures. The hope for reducing the proportion of patients with uncontrolled seizures rests on future therapeutic developments, including targeted therapies aimed at the molecular mechanisms underlying the epilepsy pathogenesis. Clinical outcomes in patients with epilepsy could also significantly improve with advances in the development of new highly accurate diagnostic and treatment methods, the identification of biomarkers for drug development, as well as routine clinical follow-up and the introduction of truly innovative disease-modifying therapies.