[Research] More AED interactions

[epileric]

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology will help physicians better choose seizure drugs for people on HIV/AIDS medication, avoiding deadly drug interactions and preventing critical anti-HIV drugs from becoming less effective, possibly leading to a more virulent strain of the disease.

When certain seizure drugs are combined with HIV/AIDS drugs known as antiretrovirals, or ARVs, one or more of the combined drugs may become less effective or more toxic. Seizure drugs that decrease HIV/AIDS drug levels – such as phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine – may cause HIV/AIDS drugs to fail.

"Drug interactions between anti-epileptic drugs and ARVs could result in progression to AIDS and/or reduced seizure control," said Birbeck, also a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "Providing guidelines that help physicians select appropriate therapies for their patients with epilepsy and HIV/AIDS will ultimately improve patient outcomes and possibly decrease the public health threat of the development of drug-resistant HIV."

Guidelines stress caution when combining anti-epileptic, HIV drugs