Antiepileptics intractable epilepsy

Rarribeck, B. et al. (2006) Comparison of brain extracellular fluid, brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum concentrations of antiepileptic drugs measured intraoperatively in patients with intractable epilepsy. Epilepsia, 47 (4), 681-694. 

Eriksson A-S, Hoppu K, Nerg rdh A, Boreus L, Pharmacokinetic interactions between lamotrigine and other antiepileptic drugs in children with intractable epilepsy. Epilepsia (1996) 37, 769-73,... 

The ultimate outcome goal for any patient with epilepsy is elimination of all seizures without any adverse effects of the treatment. An effective treatment plan would allow the patient to pursue a normal lifestyle with complete control of seizures. Specifically, the treatment should enable the patient to drive, perform well in school, hold a reasonable job, and function effectively in the family and community. However, due to the intractability of the seizures or sensitivity to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), many patients are not able to achieve these outcomes. In these cases, the goal of therapy is to provide a tolerable balance between reduced seizure severity and/or frequency and medication adverse effects that optimizes the individual s ability to have a lifestyle as nearly normal as possible. 

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