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Weight issues for people with epilepsy—A review
Author(s) -
BenMenachem Elinor
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01402.x
Subject(s) - lamotrigine , felbamate , zonisamide , levetiracetam , topiramate , carbamazepine , medicine , epilepsy , weight loss , gabapentin , weight gain , pregabalin , phenytoin , anticonvulsant , vigabatrin , valproic acid , anesthesia , pediatrics , body weight , psychiatry , obesity , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Weight gain or loss is not an integral part of epilepsy although a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to weight gain. Pharmacological treatment for epilepsy may be associated with substantial weight changes that may increase morbidity and impair adherence to the treatment regimen. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) associated with weight loss are felbamate, topiramate, and zonisamide. AEDs associated with weight gain are gabapentin, pregabalin, valproic acid, and vigabatrin and possibly, carbamazepine. Weight neutral AEDs are lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and phenytoin. In clinical practice it is critical to weigh patients regularly and AED selection should be based on each patient's profile without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy.