Volume 198 - Issue 2
Brief update on epilepsy treatment
Author: Geoffrey K Herkes
Med J Aust 2013; 198 (2): 113. || doi: 10.5694/mja12.11330
Published online: 4 February 2013
Published online: 4 February 2013
THE TREATMENT of epilepsy has undergone rapid change in the past decade. New drugs, novel treatment options and the impact of genetics are having an impact on the therapy of this common condition. This edition of Fast facts is authored by three senior and experienced clinicians. The book is easy to read, well set out, has excellent tables and images, and each chapter has a ...
Fast facts: epilepsy
5th ed. Martin J Brodie, Steven Schachter, Patrick Kwan. Oxford, UK: Health Press, 2012 (144 pp, $23.00. ISBN 9781908541123).
THE TREATMENT of epilepsy has undergone rapid change in the past decade. New drugs, novel treatment options and the impact of genetics are having an impact on the therapy of this common condition.
This edition of Fast facts is authored by three senior and experienced clinicians. The book is easy to read, well set out, has excellent tables and images, and each chapter has a useful “Key Points” summary.
The chapter on antiepileptic drug therapy has been updated since the last edition, as has the discussion on non-drug therapies, such as deep brain stimulation. Important points relating to epilepsy and pregnancy are discussed in sufficient detail to help guide sensible discussion between a clinician and a woman with epilepsy who is expecting.
Some issues are, sensibly, only briefly discussed, such as the proposed new classification of epilepsy and seizures.
My only minor criticism of the book is that the “Useful Resources” list at the end only has United States and United Kingdom organisations. The next edition will hopefully include some Australian support groups as well. Additionally, some of the drugs discussed are not yet marketed or approved for use in Australia, but readers will usually be aware of this limitation and only read about the agent they are thinking of prescribing.
This is an excellent, easily read, brief update on the current state of epilepsy management.