[Pharmacotherapy of epilepsy: the use of topiramate in initial and additional treatment].

Topiramate (topamax) is an antiepileptic drug of the new generation that was first registered and introduced in clinical practice in 1995. Due to its effective clinical properties, the drug is used widely all over the world including Russia where it has been using since 1999. Topamax is a principally new antiepileptic drug (AED) with the unique mechanism of action, favorable pharmacokinetics, high efficacy and safety. During its existence, it is widely accepted as an AED of first choice for additional and initial treatment of many forms of epilepsy in children over 2 years old and adults including old patients of both sexes. The drug can be successfully used as monotherapy and as well as polytherapy in treatment of most severe and "catastrophic" epilepsies resistant to any previous treatment.