Topiramate - A novel antiepileptic: A review

A majority of patients with epilepsy have a good prognosis, as their disease can be successfully controlled by use of a single antiepileptic. Unfortunately, some 20%-30% of epileptic patients develop refractory epilepsy, especially in case of so-called partial seizures. The present concepts on the novel antiepileptic topiramate, approved in the Republic of Croatia as an adjuvant in the management of patients with refractory partial epilepsy, are surveyed and discussed. Topiramate is an effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with partial epilepsy, however, there is no evidence on its long-term efficiency because the clinical trials reported were of a relatively short duration. Results of these clinical trials cannot be extrapolated to monotherapy or to other forms of epilepsy.