Seizure Rx May Cut Dosing in Half

Who wants to take medication twice a day when you can take it once a day?

A new study found that eslicarbazepine acetate given once a day may control seizures as well as carbamazepine extended-release, another anti-seizure medication, given twice a day.

Eslicarbazepine acetate is marketed under the brand name Aptiom in the United States and is approved to treat partial-onset seizures. It can be given alone or with another anti-seizure medication.

This study looked at 815 patients. Eslicarbazepine acetate was found to be non-inferior to carbamazepine extended-release in terms of patients being seizure-free at six months and one year.

Determining the best treatment for seizures will depend on many factors. Speak to your doctor about the best treatment for you.

The study results were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 68th Annual Meeting in Vancouver. Research presented at conferences may not have been peer-reviewed.

The study was funded by BIAL - Portela & Cª SA, a drug company that has eslicarbazepine acetate in its product portfolio.