Epilepsy Treatment - Zebinix Gets Approved As New Treatment Option

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) recently granted approval for Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) to be used in the treatment of epilepsy, although the use of the drug in the treatment of epilepsy is subject to certain conditions that were explicitly set out by the SMC. According to the terms of the approval granted, Zebinix may only be used in epileptic patients whose condition fails to respond satisfactorily to prolonged treatment with existing anti-epileptic drugs.

Martin Brodie, a Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Glasgow, who also serves as the Director of the Epilepsy Unit at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, issued the following statement regarding the approval granted by the SMC: “Being able to adequately control seizures is a continual challenge for doctors looking after people with epilepsy. Uncontrolled seizures place a huge burden on patients and their families and are associated with poor quality of life, reduced likelihood of employment and an increased risk of psychological comorbodities such as depression and anxiety. Today’s recommendation by the SMC to make Zebinix available in Scotland is a very welcome decision - it gives physicians another string to their therapeutic bow and people with epilepsy the possibility of improved seizure control.”