ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG-THERAPY IN THE ELDERLY

Populations are aging, and the incidence of epilepsy is increased in t he elderly population. These demographic facts emphasize the importanc e of understanding the use of antiepileptic drugs in older patients. H ealthy elderly have expected alterations in renal blood flow, hepatic volume and function, and alterations in fat-to-lean ratio of body comp osition. All of these changes make elderly patients vulnerable to dose -related adverse effects of the standard antiepileptic drugs. Newly de veloped compounds without enzyme induction effects and renal routes of excretion may be more favorable for use in elderly patients. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.