Antiepileptic Drug Selection
| Scientifically controlled comparative studies of seizure medicines are few. The most important of these are the two VA Cooperative Studies, which compared phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, primidone, and valproic acid for treatment of simple partial seizures.
Carbamazepine and phenytoin are drugs of choice for partial seizures. Where cost is not a key factor, oxcarbazepine may be a good substitute for carbamazepine. Valproic Acid is a drug of choice for primary generalized seizures, but is slightly less effective than is carbamazepine for partial seizures. Nevertheless, most of the medications are close in efficacy. Medicines in this group can be chosen for ease of use, cost, side effects, and familiarity by the treating physician.
The table below lists brand names and generic names for drugs used to treat seizures in the United States. Discussion of individual medications can be had upon request from the Stanford Epilepsy Center.
Drugs Used to Treat Seizure |
|
Brand Name |
Generic Name |
|
Ativan |
lorazepam |
|
Carbatrol |
carbamazepine |
|
Celontin |
methsuximide |
|
Cerebyx |
fosphenytoin |
|
Depacon |
VPA injectable |
|
Depakene |
valproic acid |
|
Depakote |
divalproex |
|
Depakote-ER |
valproic acid |
|
Diamox |
acetazolamide |
|
Diastat |
rectal diazepam |
|
Dilantin |
phenytoin |
|
Diprivan |
propofol |
|
Felbatol |
felbamate |
|
Gabitril |
tiagabine |
|
Keppra |
levetiracetam |
|
Klonopin |
clonazepam |
|
Lamictal |
lamotrigine |
|
Luminal |
phenobarbital |
|
Lyrica |
pregabalin |
|
Mebaral |
mephobarbital |
|
Mesantoin |
mephenytoin |
|
Mysoline |
primidone |
|
Neurontin |
gabapentin |
|
Peganone |
ethotoin |
|
Phenurone |
phenacemide |
|
Tegretol |
carbamazepine |
|
Tegretol-XR |
carbamazepine |
|
Topamax |
topiramate |
|
Tranxene |
clorazepate |
|
Trileptal |
oxcarbazepine |
|
Valium |
diazepam |
|
Versed |
midazolam |
|
Zarontin |
ethosuximide |
|
Zonegran |
zonisamide | |
|
