New antiepileptic agents.

Recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) offers a significant improvement in the treatment of childhood epilepsy. After a period of many years, during which no new AEDs became available, 7 new AEDs were introduced in the United States beginning in 1993. Approximately 25% of pediatric patients who remain refractory to therapy with conventional epileptic drugs now have the availability of more successful outcomes with several new drugs. These new drugs include felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, vigabatrin, oxcarbazepine. Information regarding the efficacy of these AEDs, as well as their side effects in the pediatric population has been summarized as an update for the pediatric dentist.