Antiepileptic Drugs

In 1985, volume 74 of the Springer-Verlag Handbook of Experimental Phar macology, under the editorship of H. -H. Frey and D. Janz, appeared. In this volume the then available data on the topic of antiepileptic drugs were col lated and analysed. Over the intervening years knowledge in this area has grown progressively. More new antiepileptic drugs than the total number of agents that were in common use 15 years ago have in the interval either come on to the market or are about to do so. As well, further agents are at a fairly advanced stage of development, whilst the already established drugs have by and large held their places in clinical practice. Knowledge of epileptogenesis has advanced considerably. The mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs at the molecular level and in various animal models of epileptic seizures and of the epileptic state are much better understood than they were previously. As well, more information is available concerning the natural history of human epilepsy, and this knowledge is important in making optimal use of the various agents that are now available. Therefore, it has seemed appropriate at this stage in the evolution of knowledge to produce a second volume dealing with Antiepileptic Drugs in the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology series.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

This volume provides up to date knowledge of the pharmacologies of the various antiepileptic drugs, especially those which have become available since 1984 when the previous edition (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 74: Antiepileptic Drugs, edited by H.-H. Frey and D. Janz) appeared. The data concerning the individual drugs are presented in a structured format. There are also chapters providing overviews of subjects such as the neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms of action of the antiepileptic drugs, their testing in experimental animals, their interactions, their clinical use, and the new agents currently in the course of development.

Inhalt
1 Classification of Epileptic Seizures and the Epilepsies and Drugs of Choice for Their Treatment.- A. Introduction.- B. The International Classification of Epileptic Seizures.- C. Classification of the Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes.- D. Influence of Technological Advances on the Understanding of Semiology.- E. Drugs of Choice for Epileptic Seizures and the Epilepsies.- F. Conclusion.- References.- 2 Animal Models of Epilepsy and Epileptic Seizures.- A. Introduction.- B. Animal Models of Epilepsy.- C. Animal Models of Epileptic Seizures.- D. Conclusions.- References.- 3 Epileptogenesis: Electrophysiology.- A. Introduction.- B. Partial (Focal, or Lesional) Epilepsy.- C. Generalized Epilepsy: Absence Seizures.- D. Generalized Epilepsy: Convulsive Seizures.- References.- 4 Epileptogenesis: Biochemical Aspects.- A. Introduction.- B. Methods for Studying Epileptogenesis.- C. Role of Neurotransmitters in Epileptogenesis.- D. Postsynaptic Effects.- E. Neurotrophins and Neurogenesis.- F. Conclusions.- References.- 5 Cellular Actions of Antiepileptic Drugs.- A. Introduction.- B. Established Antiepileptic Drug Mechanisms of Action.- C. Newly Developed Antiepileptic Drug Mechanisms of Action.- References.- 6 The Search for New Anticonvulsants.- A. Introduction.- B. Pharmacological Strategies in the Search for New Anticonvulsants.- C. Clinical Evaluation of Preclinical Development Strategies.- D. Strategies for Future Drug Development.- E. Conclusions.- References.- 7 Measurement of Anticonvulsants and Their Metabolites in Biological Fluids.- A. Introduction.- B. Chromatographic Methods.- C. Capillary Electrophoresis and Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Electrophoresis.- D. Stereoselective Drug Analysis.- E. Immunoassay Methods.- F. Free Drug Monitoring.- G. Quality Assurance.- References.- 8 Older Anticonvulsants Continuing in Use but with Limited Advance in Knowledge.- A. Introduction.- B. Phenobarbitone and Congeners.- C. Succinimides.- D. Sulthiame.- E. Acetazolamide.- F. Bromides.- References.- 9 Phenytoin and Congeners.- A. Phenytoin.- B. Fosphenytoin.- C. Mephenytoin.- D. Ethotoin.- E. Phenacetamide.- F. Albutoin.- References.- 10 Carbamazepine.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 11 Oxcarbazepine.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 12 Lamotrigine.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 13 Valproate.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 14 Vigabatrin.- A. Chemistry and Use.- B. Pharmacodynamics.- C. Pharmacokinetics.- D. Interactions.- E. Adverse Effects.- F. Use in Clinical Practice.- References.- 15 Benzodiazepines.- A. Introduction.- B. Pharmacodynamics of Benzodiazepines in General.- C. Benzodiazepine Adverse Effects and Their Mechanisms.- D. Diazepam.- E. Clobazam.- F. Clonazepam.- G. Lorazepam.- H. Nitrazepam.- I. Midazolam.- References.- 16 Gabapentin.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 17 Tiagabine.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmocodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- References.- 18 Topiramate.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry.- C. Pharmacodynamics.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- G. Clinical Use.- H. Conclusions.- References.- 19 Zonisamide.- A. Chemistry and Use.- B. Pharmacodynamics.- C. Pharmacokinetics.- D. Interactions.- E. Adverse Effects.- F. Dose and Administration.- References.- 20 Felbamate.- A. Introduction.- B. Chemistry and Use.- C. Pharmacodynamic Studies.- D. Pharmacokinetics.- E. Interactions.- F. Adverse Effects.- G. Use of Felbamate in Practice.- H. onclusions.- References.- 21 Drugs Under Clinical Trial.- A. Introduction.- B. Levetiracetam.- C Losigamone.- D. Remacemide.- E. Rufinamide.- F. Stiripentol.- G. Drugs in Early Clinical Development.- H. Conclusion.- References.- 22 Anticonvulsant Combinations and Interactions.- A. Introduction.- B. Extent of the Problem.- C. Pharmacokinetic Interactions.- D. Pharmacodynamic Interactions.- E. Interactions of the Generally Available Anticonvulsant Drugs.- F. Interactions of the Recently Licensed Anticonvulsant Drugs.- G. Conclusions.- References.- 23 The Use of Antiepileptic Drugs in Clinical Practice.- A. Introduction.- B. Changes in Antiepileptic Drug Use for Epilepsy.- C. The Decision to Prescribe Antiepileptic Drug Therapy.- D. The Choice of an Antiepileptic Drug.- E. Initiating Drug Therapy.- F. Continuing Drug Therapy.- G. Duration of Therapy.- H. Withdrawal of Therapy.- References.