A prospective study of 40 children with epilepsy was carried out between June 1990 and August 1991 at Port Moresby General Hospital. Half of the children had yet to start school. Significant features in their past medical histories were acute meningitis (38%), tuberculous meningitis (10%), febrile convulsions (10%) and head trauma (5%). Most cases had grand mal epilepsy (80%). The majority of the children with epilepsy (90%) were treated with a single drug, which was usually phenobarbitone. 22% had received more than one drug, but not simultaneously. Significant side-effects requiring change of treatment occurred in 10%. Disturbed behaviour was reported in 55% and 22% had a poor social outcome. 45% had complete control of fits clinically. This study showed that in Port Moresby acute meningitis is a significant cause of epilepsy in young children, the majority of whom present with grand mal epilepsy, which is usually controlled by phenobarbitone, a readily available and cheap drug and still a useful anticonvulsant in the developing world.
Adolescent ; Child ; Epilepsy - drug therapy

Epilepsy has high incidence and complex etiologies,and its treatment remains challenging.For around 70% of people with epilepsy,seizures can be controlled after proper antiepileptic treatment.The availability of some new antiepileptic drugs in recent years has offered new options for epileptic patients.A solid knowledge on the pharmacokinetics,efficacy,and tolerability profiles of these new antiepileptic drugs will help to provide safe,proper,reasonable,and standardized treatment for patients.
Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Seizures ; drug therapy

Management of drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) requires a systematic approach consisting of (1) investigation of potential causes of DRE, (2) determination of the degree of DRE on the basis of previous drug therapy, (3) rational pharmacotherapy consisting of both monotherapy and combination therapy, and (4) referral to surgery or other alternative therapy. The scheme of rational pharmacotherapy consists of (1) first drug monotherapy (2) second drug monotherapy, (3) two drug combination therapy, (4) triple drug combination therapy, and (5) addition of second-line drug. With the introduction of many new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) having different mechanisms of action, the combination therapy has become more effective and safer, which made the use of triple drug combination therapy feasible in practice if it includes at least one new AED. It should be acknowleged that the rational combination therapy may achieve a seizure free outcome in a significant proportion of patients with less severe DRE. For patients with surgically remediable epileptic syndromes, a systematic trial of two to three drugs may suffice an earlier referral to surgery.
Anticonvulsants ; Drug Therapy ; Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Referral and Consultation ; Seizures

Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Sleep ; physiology

The time phase of epileptic seizures has attracted more and more attention. Epileptic seizures have their own circadian rhythm. The same type of epilepsy has different seizure frequencies in different time periods and states (such as sleeping/awakening state and natural day/night cycle). The circadian rhythm of epileptic seizures has complex molecular and endocrine mechanisms, and currently there are several hypotheses. Clarification of the circadian rhythm of epileptic seizures and prevention and administration according to such circadian rhythm can effectively control seizures and reduce the adverse effects of drugs. The research on the circadian rhythm of epileptic seizures provides a new idea for the treatment of epilepsy.
Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans

Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Pharmacogenetics

Anticonvulsants ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; Humans

Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans

No abstract available.
Animal ; Animal Welfare ; Anticonvulsants/*pharmacology ; Drug Design ; Drug Interactions ; Epilepsy/*drug therapy ; Human ; Mice ; Pharmacokinetics ; Rats

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; adverse effects ; Brain ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Contraindications ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; Humans