[Course of epilepsy in patients who have suffered adverse effects of anticonvulsant preparations according to the results of long-term follow-up].

The author studied 99 epileptic patients in whom 5-10 years ago anticonvulsants had caused side-effects. In 10% of the patients, a stable remission of the paroxysmal manifestations and an improvement of the mental status was achieved after controlling the complications. The majority of the patients exhibited slow progression of the epileptic process following a reduction of disturbances induced by intoxication and folic acid deficiency. Severe toxic, metabolic and allergic complications (30%) were followed by further considerable progression of the paroxysmal and psychopathological symptomatology. The degree of progression and severity of the organic brain lesion in epileptic patients is an important factor affecting the manifestation of the side-effects associated with anticonvulsants and the efficiency of further anticonvulsive therapy. In 4% of the patients the author observed repeated drug-induced complications. The prophylaxis of repeated complications of the anticonvulsant treatment prevents epilepsy aggravation.