Current trends in epileptology: priorities, challenges, tasks and solutions
Journal
EPILEPSY AND PAROXYSMAL CONDITIONS
Date Issued
2019-11
Author(s)
Avakyan G.N.
Belousova E.D.
Burd S.G.
Vlasov P.N
Ermolenko N.A.
Kissin M.Ya
Lebedeva A.V
Lipatova L.V.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17749/2077-8333.2019.11.4.395-406
Abstract
Within a field meeting of experts from the Russian branch of the League Against Epilepsy (RLAE), diagnostic and
treatment aspects of epilepsy were discussed with the emphasis on the female population (girls, women of childbearing
and older ages). All experts underscored the special features and unique needs of female patients with epilepsy.
Experimental and clinical studies on efficacy and safety of traditional and novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) applied to
women with epilepsy were discussed. It was commonly agreed that the new generation of AEDs did not yet find an
appropriate place in the clinical practice, and that they were mainly used as add-on therapy in order to overcome drug
resistance. The current use of AEDs in the treatment of epilepsy is, by large, not gender-specific and is not related
enough to age, sociodemographic characteristics, and comorbid disorders. It should be noted that the new AEDs are
addressed specifically to individual, socio-demographic, gender and clinical features of the patient. The potential of
some AEDs (lamotrigine), in fact, remains underestimated by practitioners. Due to the current restrictions in using
valproic acid, lamotrigine is the alternative medication for women with epilepsy. Having a balanced profile of efficacy and
safety, lamotrigine is recommended as the first choice drug for initial therapy, as well as an alternative monotherapy for
epilepsy in women.
treatment aspects of epilepsy were discussed with the emphasis on the female population (girls, women of childbearing
and older ages). All experts underscored the special features and unique needs of female patients with epilepsy.
Experimental and clinical studies on efficacy and safety of traditional and novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) applied to
women with epilepsy were discussed. It was commonly agreed that the new generation of AEDs did not yet find an
appropriate place in the clinical practice, and that they were mainly used as add-on therapy in order to overcome drug
resistance. The current use of AEDs in the treatment of epilepsy is, by large, not gender-specific and is not related
enough to age, sociodemographic characteristics, and comorbid disorders. It should be noted that the new AEDs are
addressed specifically to individual, socio-demographic, gender and clinical features of the patient. The potential of
some AEDs (lamotrigine), in fact, remains underestimated by practitioners. Due to the current restrictions in using
valproic acid, lamotrigine is the alternative medication for women with epilepsy. Having a balanced profile of efficacy and
safety, lamotrigine is recommended as the first choice drug for initial therapy, as well as an alternative monotherapy for
epilepsy in women.
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