Use of valproate and carbamazepine in the therapy of epilepsy (guidelines for the practitioner)

The paper gives comparative data on the efficacy and tolerability of valproic acid (VA, valproate) and carbamazepine (CBZ) for different types of epilepsy and seizures in different age and clinical groups. The results of studies suggest that despite a more than 50-year history of their effective use, the extended-release formulations of VA and CBZ remain the drugs of first choice for many types of epilepsy. CBZ is effective for focal epilepsy and isolated generalized tonic-clonic seizures. However, its use is substantially limited by properties, such as cytochrome P450 induction and autoinduction, high drug-drug interactions, the aggravation of absences, negative myoclonus, myoclonic and atonic seizures, an effect on the profile of steroid sex hormones, elevated concentrations of atherogenic lipids and cholesterol, myocardial conduction disorders, and hyponatremia. Due to the multiple mechanism of action, VA is prescribed for almost all types of epilepsy and seizures in patients of different ages. VA should not be used (if the clinical situation allows) in women of childbearing age, in some infantile epileptic encephalopathy, inherited metabolic diseases, and chromosomal abnormalities. Effectiveness against different types of seizures and epilepsy, good tolerability, minimal aggravation risk, high retention rate of monotherapy, the presence of a variety of dosage forms, and favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles still make VA essential in many clinical situations.