Epileptic seizures: An overview of the new 2017 classification and role of the pharmacist: An overview of the new 2017 classification and role of the pharmacist

© Medpharm. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. Epilepsy is a brain disorder, distinguished by a persisting predisposition to initiate epileptic seizures, with no identifiable cause in up to 50% of clinical cases. It may occur because of a number of conditions, including genetic predisposition, infections and head trauma, as well as a number of other triggers, including stress, lack of sleep, alcohol and drug abuse/withdrawal. Epilepsy can be classified as focal seizures, or an epileptic seizure where the initial activation of neurons is limited to only one cerebral hemisphere, and generalised seizures involving both cerebral hemispheres. Treatment options can be divided between those drugs used to terminate an acute seizure and those drugs that are used to prevent seizures. The goal of therapy is to maximise quality of life by eliminating seizures or diminishing seizure frequency, while minimising adverse effects.