Antiepileptic drugs: expanded options and improved tolerance.

Five new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been approved in the last five years and several new formulations and new dose strengths for both the classical and newer agents exist. Patients arriving for neurodiagnostic studies are often on complex regimens with medications being weaned and new agents being added. All technologists need a working knowledge of the known mechanisms and indications for these drugs in addition to an understanding of their potential adverse effects. Fortunately the latter problems are limited in this recent generation of drugs and their broad spectrum of action is leading to improved seizure control and better quality of life for our patients.