Place your advertisement here
Current Perspectives in Epilepsy Treatment: Focus on Monotherapy
 

Release Date: December 1, 2006
Expiration Date: December 1, 2007

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Outline the potential benefits and risks of polytherapy treatment for patients with epilepsy versus monotherapy, including the rationale and practical considerations for eliminating polytherapy
  • Describe newer versus older antiepilepsy pharmacologic options for persons with epilepsy, including the risks and benefits of each
  • Understand how to utilize newer AED’s in patients with epilepsy
  • Convey key factors to consider when switching from AED polytherapy to monotherapy, including considerations to keep in mind when choosing an agent as primary monotherapy for epilepsy
  • Review newer AED’s that have been efficacious in epilepsy as well as other comorbid disorders

Program Description

Combination therapy with antiepileptic drugs is associated with a variety of complications, including toxicity and the potential for drug interactions. In addition, many patients who do not respond to sequential monotherapy, will not become seizure-free with polytherapy. Monotherapy has several advantages over polytherapy, including a reduced risk of side effects and complications due to drug interactions, lower cost, and better compliance. Well-controlled trials have established the efficacy of some newer antiepileptic drugs as monotherapy, therefore, clinicians may consider switching some patients on polytherapy to a monotherapy regimen with newer agents. There is no consensus about the best “switch” strategy and treatment decisions are influenced by the specific epilepsy syndrome, seizure frequency and patterns, prior treatments, and non-disease issues such as age, occupation, etc. Evidence suggests that seizures generally do not worsen or return during a transition from polytherapy to monotherapy, however, protocols can be implemented to address the possibility. In this monograph, a panel of experts highlights issues relating to the use of newer antiepileptic drugs as monotherapy in the treatment of adults and children with epilepsy.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for neurologists and other health care providers that treat patients with epilepsy.

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of ArcMesa Educators and Scinexa, LLC. ArcMesa Educators is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

ArcMesa Educators designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Learn More

http://www.cmediscovery.com/monotherapy/