Today's treatment of epilepsy with potassium bromide

Bromides have been used since nearly 150 years in the treatment of epilepsy . Insufficient knowledge about adequate dosages and formerly missing possib ilities for determination of serum concentrations have led to a wide spread bad reputation of this antiepileptic drug. Studies performed since 1980 de monstrate however that the existing evidence and therapeutic experiences su pport this negative image in no way. in severe generalised epilepsy of infa ncy with generalised tonic-clonic seizures potassium bromide can result in good or even very good efficacy in two thirds of the cases treated. Side ef fects are often dose dependent and affect the central nervous system, gastr ointestinal tract and skin. If recommended dosages and treatment modalities are adhered to potassium bromide seems to be equivalent to the standard an tiepileptic drugs valproate and phenobarbital in the benefit risk assessmen t.