[Pharmacoeconomic aspects of monotherapy of focal epilepsy].

AIM: To perform a clinical/economic comparison of monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AED) in patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy (FE) based on the results of previous studies.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The most common AEDs (carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXZ), lamotrigine (LTG), lacosamide (LCM)) were compared in patients, aged 16 years and over, with illness duration of five years.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION

CBZ, OXZ and LCM can be used as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed FE. Monotherapy with LCM is associated with lowest costs for stopping focal seizures and the highest percentage of seizure-free patients. CBZ remains the most economical AED: the cost-effectiveness is minimal compared to all other AEDs used in the study. However, monotherapy with LCM is advisable if it is necessary to minimize side-effects in patients with newly diagnosed FE.