Adverse Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs

Abstract

Anticonvulsant therapy requires a commitment of one to many years. Multiple-drug administration is also not uncommon. Therefore, complications of treatment are pertinent considerations. Recent techniques in monitoring plasma concentrations have been helpful, yet adverse effects of anticonvulsants are frequent. Schmidt has divided this book into three segments. The first describes the mechanisms of adverse effects; the second, adverse effects on organ systems; and the third, side effects of individual drugs or genera of drugs. In the first chapter, the division of pharmacologic and clinical factors is helpful, and the mechanisms of production of side effects are mentioned. This chapter eases the reader into the descriptions of complications affecting specific organ systems. While some organ systems are treated almost entirely, the descriptions of others suffer from excessive brevity. Later in the text, in a repetitious manner, the drugs are described independently with listings of complications. Here again, brevity is a disadvantage