Antiepileptic drug withdrawal: literature review

Abstract

Of patients with epilepsy, 60% to 70% achieve control with antiepileptic medication. Antiepileptic drugs may be associated with unwanted adverse effects, inconvenience, and cost. Remission may occur in some patients, raising the issue of whether continued treatment is necessary. Identifying patients from whom treatment can be withdrawn successfully would be beneficial on many levels, but selecting patients may be difficult. Several published antiepileptic drug withdrawal studies show variable rates of success, with relapse rates ranging from 12% to 63%. Several prognostic factors help identify patients who may be amenable to antiepileptic drug withdrawal. The results and limitations described in the antiepileptic drug withdrawal literature, prognostic factors, and general guidelines for antiepileptic drug withdrawal are presented in this article.