Antiepileptic Drugs

This concise handbook provides practical, up-to-date clinical guidance on effective selection, prescription, and usage of antiepileptic drugs for patients with epilepsy in various medical conditions and in a variety of clinical contexts. This text discusses choosing drugs when faced with various medical comorbidities; how to correctly prescribe, titrate, and taper drugs; how to monitor drug efficacy and side effects; how to diagnose and manage toxicity; how antiepileptic drugs interact with other medications; and comprehensive coverage of current treatment options.

Key Feature of this Manual Include
· A brief formal discussion of the basic pharmacology of each antiepileptic drug, with an emphasis on how to select and use anti-epileptic drugs in a variety of clinical contexts.
· Discussions of antiepileptic drugs approved for epilepsy since 2009.
· New research about already existing antiepileptic drugs.
· References for further reading that are oriented toward utility in clinical practice.

Antiepileptic Drugs: A Clinician's Manual fills an unmet need as a practical, patient-oriented reference and leads to improved patient care. Supported by practical, clinical knowledge and experience, this is the perfect guide for physicians looking to ensure safe practices in antiepileptic drug therapy.

Contents
1 Diagnosis and Evaluation of Patients With Seizures
2 Antiepileptic Drug Dosage Forms and Administration Guidelines
3 Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Antiepileptic Drugs
4 Monitoring Antiepileptic Drugs and Their Toxicity
5 Choices of Antiepileptic Drugs Based on Specific Epilepsy Syndromes and Seizure Types
6 Clinically Important Drug Interactions With Antiepileptic Drugs
7 Aggravation of Seizures by Antiepileptic Drugs
8 Polytherapy With Antiepileptic Drugs
9 Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy
10 Antiepileptic Drugs in Lactating Women
11 Antiepileptic Drugs in the Elderly
12 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Renal Disease
13 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Liver Disease
14 Antiepileptic Drugs and Metabolic Disorders
15 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Hyperlipidemia
16 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
17 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Cardiovascular Disorders
18 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Hematological Disorders
19 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients on Chemotherapy or Immunosuppressive Therapy
20 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients with Brain Tumors
21 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Stroke
22 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Preexisting Psychiatric Problems or Learning Disabilities
23 Antiepileptic Drugs and Cognition
24 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Migraine Headaches
25 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With Neuropathic Pain Syndromes
26 Antiepileptic Drugs & Cutaneous / Allergic Reactions
27 Antiepileptic Drugs and Ophthalmologic Problems
28 Antiepileptic Drugs and Weight Change
29 Antiepileptic Drugs and Bone Health
30 Antiepileptic Drugs in Patients With HIV Infection/AIDS
Index

Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, Associate Professor of Epileptology; Director, Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center;, Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and Michael R. Sperling, Baldwin Keys Professor of Neurology; Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs; Director, Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center;, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, USA

Dr. Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Epileptology at the department of neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. He is the founder and the director of Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, and the director of Shiraz Epilepsy Surgery Committee.

Dr. Michael R. Sperling, M.D., is Baldwin Keyes Professor of Neurology at the department of neurology, Thomas Jefferson University. He is the director of Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.