Drug Trials
When used appropriately,
antiepileptic medications can effectively eliminate
seizures in 70% of people with epilepsy. Because
various medications have different side effects,
the type and severity of these effects must be
considered when selecting an antiepileptic drug
for an individual patient.
In addition to standard treatment with antiepileptic
medications, the Penn Epilepsy
Center (PEC) offers patients whose seizures
are not controlled by standard medications the
opportunity to take part in investigational drug
studies. At any point in time several new drugs
are usually tested at the PEC. These drugs are
not available to neurologists or internists in
the community. All patients are followed by physicians,
nurse specialists, drug study coordinators and
social workers with expertise in epilepsy.
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