Felbamate side effects

The newer AEDs were first approved as adjunctive therapy for patients with refractory partial seizures. To date, lamotrigine, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine have received FDA approval for use in monotherapy in patients with partial seizures. Felbamate has monotherapy approval but causes significant side effects. 

McConnell H, Snyder PJ, Duffy JD, Weilburg J, Valeriano J, Brillman J, Cress K, Cavalier J. Neuropsychiatric side effects related to treatment with felbamate. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1996 8(3) 341-6. 

Felbamate, proprietary name Felhatol, was approved for primary or adjunctive therapy of partial seizures. Its use is limited to those patients who fail other drug treatments, because felbamate carries with it a substantial risk of aplastic anemia and hver failure that is not related to the blood level. Biweekly monitoring of complete blood count, serum ammotransferases, and bilirubin is recommended to detect early onset of these side effects. Felbamate is particularly effective in control of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. 

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