[Advances in the rational therapy of epilepsy in children (author's transl)].

Advances in the rational therapy epilepsy require: 1) an accurate diagnosis and classification, based upon the clinical manifestations of the attacks electroencephalographic pattern, 2) a selective pharmacotherapy adjusted to the particular type of epilepsy, 3) a correct mode of administration based on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drugs, and 4) to follow the guide-lines for a safe therapy control. The international classification of epileptic seizures is presented. The practical consequences of the pharmacokinetics of the antiepileptic drugs and their interactions between them as well as with other drugs are discussed. The need of administering single, pure drugs, as much as possible is emphasized. Special recommendations are given to attain a good blood level control of antiepileptic therapy. On the basis of such drug blood monitoring, a particular consideration is given to the interpretation of therapeutic concentrations and to the discussion of the many variables that account of achieving either subtherapeutic or toxic blood levels.