V. PRIMARY ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS

The list of drugs approved includes felbamate, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, rufinamide, tiagabine, topiramate, vigabatrin, and zonisamide. These are labeled “second generation” older antiepileptics, such as carbamazepine, divalproex, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and valproic acid. However, several studies have failed to provide sufficient evidence that the second-generation drugs are significantly better than the older agents in terms of efficacy and lack of adverse effects.