Antiepileptic Drugs in Children

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) lead to seizure freedom in about 70% of all children with epilepsy. Appropriate drug selection is determined by the patient’s age, seizure semiology, epileptic syndrome, and pharmacogenetic approach. The aim of treatment is to prevent seizures by maintaining the effective dose of one or more antiepileptic drugs. In recent years, many new generation AEDs with less side-effect profiles and drug interactions have been used in clinical practice. The clinical uses and side effects of AEDs are different in children than adults. The characteristics of AEDs in the pediatric age group are extremely important in the success of treatment. In this review, many current sources are examined, and the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic properties, clinical use and doses, side effects and drug interactions of AEDs that are frequently used in children are discussed.

Keywords

• Antiepileptic drugs
• children
• epilepsy

Çocuklarda Antiepileptik İlaçlar

Abstract

Antiepileptik ilaçlar (AEİ) ile epilepsi tanılı çocukların yaklaşık %70’nde nöbetler kontrol altına alınır. Seçilecek ilaç hastaların yaşı, nöbet semiyolojisi, epileptik sendrom, farmakogenetik yaklaşım ile belirlenir. Tedavide amaç bir veya daha fazla antiepileptik ilacın etkili dozunu muhafaza ederek nöbet oluşumunu önlemektir. Son yıllarda yan etki profili ve ilaç etkileşimi daha az olan birçok yeni nesil AEİ gündeme gelmiş olup bir kısmı klinik pratikte kullanılmaktadır. Çocuklarda, erişkinlere göre AEİ’lerin klinik kullanımları ve yan etkileri farklıdır. AEİ’lerin çocuk yaş grubuna ait özelliklerinin bilinmesi tedavi başarısında son derece önemlidir. Derlememizde çok sayıda güncel kaynak incelenerek çocukluklarda sık kullanılan AEİ’lerin etki mekanizmaları, farmakokinetik özellikleri, klinik kullanım ve dozları, yan etki ve ilaç etkileşimleri ele alınmıştır.

Keywords

• Antiepileptik ilaçlar
• çocuklar
• epilepsi

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