PHARMACOKINETICS OF NEW ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS

This article surveys the pharmacokinetic parameters for the new antiep ileptic drugs (AEDs): felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepin e, tiagabine, topiramate, and vigabatrin. Compared to the pharmacokine tics of standard AEDs, these new AEDs have progressed in terms of (a) longer half-lives, permitting once- or twice-daily dosing, (b) greatly reduced potential for drug interactions, thus increasing ease of trea tment, and (c) general lack of hepatic enzyme induction, which facilit ates polytherapy as well as other aspects of treatment.