Oral Anticonvulsants Used in the Chronic Management of Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy affects approximately two million peoplein the U.S. About five percent of physician visitsand 20 % of neurological visits are by peopleseeking medical advice for the treatment of seizures.1 Approximately two-thirds of epileptic seizures begin in childhood; however, the incidence increases again after age 60, with a peak incidence in persons greater than 70 years of age.2 The term epilep-sy is derived from Greek words meaning to “seize upon ” or “take hold of. ” The medical definition of epilepsy is an intermittent derangement of the nervous system caused by a sudden, excessive, disorderly dis-charge of cerebral neurons.2 Seizures refer to any paroxysmal disturbance in consciousness, behavior, or motor activity.1 The clinical presentations of epileptic seizures are classified by symptomatology and electrophysio-logic findings according to the International Clas-sification of Epileptic Seizures.3 The classifica-tion is as follows: