Anti Epileptic Drug News and Research

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Epilepsy community concerned over AHRQ's AED drug comparison study

Leading representatives of the American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology, and the Epilepsy Foundation today reported they have grave concerns about the implications and potential misuse of the anticonvulsant (AED) drug comparisons study recently released by the U.S. Agency for Health Research and Quality.

17 Feb 2012

Epilepsy surgery improves QOL and long-term seizure control

While epilepsy surgery is a safe and effective intervention for seizure control, medical therapy remains the more prominent treatment option for those with epilepsy. However, a new 26-year study reveals that following epilepsy surgery, nearly half of participants were free of disabling seizures and 80% reported better quality of life than before surgery.

7 Feb 2012

Mylan introduces Levetiracetam to treat seizures

Mylan Inc. today announced that its Mylan Institutional business has launched Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection, 500 mg/100 mL, 1000 mg/100 mL and 1500 mg/100 mL, for intravenous use.

19 Jan 2012

Lundbeck announces availability of ONFI Tablets in the U.S.

Lundbeck announced today that ONFI Tablets are now available for prescribing in the United States. The FDA recently approved ONFI for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients two years and older.

4 Jan 2012

Prenatal exposure to valproate may increase risk of autism in children

Investigators in a population-based study in Denmark reporting today at the American Epilepsy Society's 65th annual meeting have found there is an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in children born of mothers who are exposed to the anticonvulsant valproate during pregnancy.

6 Dec 2011

Fetal exposure to valproate impairs IQ till age six

Researchers in the U.S. and U.K. are conducting an ongoing investigation of the cognitive effect of fetal exposure across four commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as part of an NIH-funded Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (NEAD) Study. An early NEAD analysis found that fetal exposure to valproate impairs IQ at age three.

6 Dec 2011

Converting patients to lamotrigine extended-release for epilepsy treatment found effective and safe

Epilepsy drug-switching study shows that using more ethical control groups could be the way forward for testing both drug efficacy and safety

5 Dec 2011

Long-term AED therapy may increase risk of atherosclerosis in epilepsy patients

New research reveals that patients with epilepsy who were treated for extended periods with older generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be at increased risk for developing atherosclerosis, a common disorder known as hardening of the arteries.

15 Nov 2011

NYU Langone professor offers guidance on risk factors, interventions for SUDEP

Over time, epileptic seizures can lead to major health issues, including significant cognitive decline and even death, warns Orrin Devinsky, MD, professor, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center.

11 Nov 2011

Surgery may be effective in difficult-to-treat epilepsy cases

A study published this week in the journal the Lancet involved 615 patients who were suffering from refractory focal epilepsy, a type that has proved difficult to treat, even with multiple medications.

17 Oct 2011

Amneal announces availability of generic antiepileptic drug, Felbamate

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC is pleased to announce that its generic Felbamate tablets are now available in 400 mg and 600 mg strengths. Amneal's latest First-to-Market product is an AB-rated, therapeutically equivalent alternative to the antiepileptic drug Felbatol. Annual U.S. sales of Felbatol® are $43.7 million according to January 2011 IMS Health market data.

19 Sep 2011

Simple pain relievers a better alternative to antipsychotic medications for dementia patients

Many dementia patients are being treated with antipsychotic medications, but a new study shows that simple pain relievers may be a better alternative.

8 Sep 2011

New Therapy Grants Program supports innovative approach to treat epilepsy

The Epilepsy Therapy Project (ETP) and the Epilepsy Foundation (EF) announced today a New Therapy Grant to potentially help those with treatment resistant epilepsy.

19 Aug 2011

VIVUS to present topiramate exposure, birth defect data at IEC

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that on August 31, 2011, during the late breaking poster session at the 29th International Epilepsy Congress in Rome, Italy, Dr. Alison Pack, Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, will present the results of a retrospective study of medical claims data on oral clefts (OC) and major congenital malformations (MCMs) associated with in utero topiramate exposure.

20 Jul 2011

Upsher-Smith initiates USL261 ARTEMIS1 Phase III study for seizure clusters in epilepsy patients

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. announced today the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of USL261, an investigational intranasal midazolam, for the rescue treatment of seizures in patients on stable anti-epileptic drug (AED) regimens who require control of intermittent bouts of increased seizure activity, frequently referred to as seizure clusters. USL261 has been granted orphan drug designation for this use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

18 Jul 2011

Ketogenic diet reduces seizures in mice through adenosine A1 receptors

Some individuals with epilepsy fail to respond to treatment with conventional drugs but benefit from consuming a ketogenic diet - a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet similar to the more commonly known Atkins diet.

24 Jun 2011

UC Riverside research could lead to novel therapeutics for epileptic seizures

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have made a discovery in the lab that could help drug manufacturers develop new antiepileptic drugs and explore novel strategies for treating seizures associated with epilepsy - a disease affecting about two million Americans.

22 Jun 2011