Oxcarbazepine in the treatment of epilepsy. Facts’ based questions and answers Review article
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Abstract
The effectiveness of oxcarbazepine has been demonstrated in studies on patients suffering from refractory epilepsy, both in monotherapy and in add-on therapy. In comparative studies with phenytoin and a rapid release form of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine had a better tolerability profile and similar efficacy. In comparison with valproate oxcarbazepine had equivalent efficacy and safety. Approximately 60% patients have a full remission of seizures, which corresponds to a typical number of patients responding to the first monotherapy. Oxcarbazepine has been shown to be effective and well tolerated also in patients who have failed therapy with another anti-epileptic medicine. In women of childbearing age, oxcarbazepine is also an alternative first choice drug for valproates.
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