There is a paucity of randomized control trials. Although they are
considered to be the "gold standard", they have limited applicability in
studies of pregnant women. Therefore the data rely on alternative designs
and registry reports.
There is a significant body of literature reporting on the preference of
monotherapy over polytherapy if clinically effective.
1.Sachdeo R. The evidence-based rationale for monotherapy in
appropriate patients with epilepsy. Neurology 2007; 69:S1-S2.
2.St. Louis EK, Rosenfeld WE, Bramley T. Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapy:
The Initial Approach in Epilepsy Management. Curr Neuropharmacol 2009;
7(2): 77-82.
3.St. Louis EK. Monotherapy to polytherapy: Antiepileptic drug conversions
through the spectrum of epilepsy care. Curr Neuropharmacol 2009;7(2):75-
76.
4.Adab N, Jacoby A, Smith D, Chadwick D. Additional educational needs in
children born to mothers with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
2001;70:15-21.
Rapid Response:
Re:Re:There's the type of epilepsy, too
Dear Dr. Zahid,
There is a paucity of randomized control trials. Although they are
considered to be the "gold standard", they have limited applicability in
studies of pregnant women. Therefore the data rely on alternative designs
and registry reports.
There is a significant body of literature reporting on the preference of
monotherapy over polytherapy if clinically effective.
1.Sachdeo R. The evidence-based rationale for monotherapy in
appropriate patients with epilepsy. Neurology 2007; 69:S1-S2.
2.St. Louis EK, Rosenfeld WE, Bramley T. Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapy:
The Initial Approach in Epilepsy Management. Curr Neuropharmacol 2009;
7(2): 77-82.
3.St. Louis EK. Monotherapy to polytherapy: Antiepileptic drug conversions
through the spectrum of epilepsy care. Curr Neuropharmacol 2009;7(2):75-
76.
4.Adab N, Jacoby A, Smith D, Chadwick D. Additional educational needs in
children born to mothers with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
2001;70:15-21.
Competing interests: No competing interests