Minimising AED Adverse Effects- Improving Quality of Life

This article reviews a practical approach for the definition and identification of adverse effects of epilepsy therapies, and re- views the literature demonstrating that adverse effects result in detrimental quality of life in epilepsy patients. Strategies for minimizing AED adverse effects by reduction or elimination of AED polytherapy, appropriately employing drug- sparing therapies, and optimally administering AEDs are outlined, including tenets of AED selection, titration, therapeutic AED laboratory monitoring, and avoidance of chronic idiosyncratic adverse effects.