Antiepileptic drugs in Australia: 2002–2007

Abstract

The rate of increase in the prescribing of AEDs remained steady between 2002 and 2007. The gender differences in prescribing reflect the higher prevalence of epilepsy in men and higher individual dosages used when many AEDs are prescribed on a body weight basis. The high use of some of these drugs in elderly people (> or =80 years) warrants further exploration. There is growing use of lamotrigine and gabapentin for indications apart from epilepsy-most likely neuropathic pain and mood disorders.