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Drugs in R&D
Published in: Drugs in R&D 3/2017

Open Access 01-09-2017 | Review Article

Eslicarbazepine Acetate: A New Improvement on a Classic Drug Family for the Treatment of Partial-Onset Seizures

Authors: Graciana L. Galiana, Angela C. Gauthier, Richard H. Mattson

Published in: Drugs in R&D | Issue 3/2017

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Abstract

Eslicarbazepine acetate is a new anti-epileptic drug belonging to the dibenzazepine carboxamide family that is currently approved as adjunctive therapy and monotherapy for partial-onset (focal) seizures. The drug enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels and subsequently reduces the activity of rapidly firing neurons. Eslicarbazepine acetate has few, but some, drug–drug interactions. It is a weak enzyme inducer and it inhibits cytochrome P450 2C19, but it affects a smaller assortment of enzymes than carbamazepine. Clinical studies using eslicarbazepine acetate as adjunctive treatment or monotherapy have demonstrated its efficacy in patients with refractory or newly diagnosed focal seizures. The drug is generally well tolerated, and the most common side effects include dizziness, headache, and diplopia. One of the greatest strengths of eslicarbazepine acetate is its ability to be administered only once per day. Eslicarbazepine acetate has many advantages over older anti-epileptic drugs, and it should be strongly considered when treating patients with partial-onset epilepsy.
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Metadata
Title
Eslicarbazepine Acetate: A New Improvement on a Classic Drug Family for the Treatment of Partial-Onset Seizures
Authors
Graciana L. Galiana
Angela C. Gauthier
Richard H. Mattson
Publication date
01-09-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Drugs in R&D / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1174-5886
Electronic ISSN: 1179-6901
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40268-017-0197-5

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