Antiseizure Medications and Rescue Treatments

Antiseizure medications (ASMs) form the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment, yet optimal selection, management of adverse effects, and timely use of rescue therapies remain complex, highly individualized processes. This CME/CE course provides healthcare professionals with the critical knowledge needed to select, monitor, and adjust ASMs based on patient-specific factors, comorbidities, and seizure types.

Participants will begin by understanding the primary goals of epilepsy treatment—achieving complete seizure freedom with minimal side effects and optimizing patient quality of life. The course explores mechanisms of action for commonly used ASMs, practical considerations in prescribing (including age, gender, comorbidities, and drug interactions), and the identification and management of common adverse effects such as fatigue, weight gain, cognitive changes, and mood disorders.

The course also prepares learners to address epilepsy-related emergencies, such as status epilepticus, including rapid recognition and the appropriate use of rescue medications like benzodiazepines and intranasal midazolam. Special emphasis is placed on medication administration routes, dosing strategies, and emergency protocols in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Special scenarios are also addressed, such as Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS), a severe epilepsy of infancy that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment with ACTH, vigabatrin, or corticosteroids, and Absence Epilepsy, where individualized treatment planning may differ significantly from other seizure types.

Case-based learning solidifies the application of core principles, guiding clinicians through real-world situations where personalized ASM selection, adverse effect monitoring, and rapid rescue interventions are necessary.

Upon completion, healthcare providers will be equipped with the skills to develop patient-centered epilepsy management plans that incorporate pharmacological strategies, emergency preparedness, and special considerations for pediatric, geriatric, and complex patient populations.

Educational Objectives

• Define the therapeutic goals of antiseizure medication (ASM) use in epilepsy care.
• Evaluate patient-specific factors, mechanisms of action, and adverse effect profiles when selecting ASMs.
• Describe status epilepticus and identify appropriate rescue treatment options and administration protocols.
• Recognize special considerations in epilepsy care, including Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS) and Absence Epilepsy.
• Apply ASM selection, adverse effect management, and emergency protocols in clinical case scenarios to guide treatment planning.

Who Should Do This Course?

This course is designed for:

• Neurologists and Epileptologists prescribing and adjusting ASMs and managing seizure emergencies.
• Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Providers involved in the treatment of status epilepticus and acute seizures.
• Pediatricians and Family Medicine Practitioners overseeing chronic epilepsy management.
• Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Nurses supporting medication adherence and care continuity.
• Psychiatry and Internal Medicine professionals managing epilepsy in patients with behavioral or medical comorbidities.

This course is especially valuable for providers working in neurocritical care, epilepsy monitoring units, or community practices managing diverse patient populations.

Did You Know?

• More than 30 FDA-approved antiseizure medications are available for treating epilepsy. (FDA, 2023)
• Status epilepticus affects approximately 120,000 people annually in the U.S. and requires emergency intervention. (Epilepsy Currents, 2021)
• ACTH and vigabatrin are the first-line treatments for Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome. (Neurology, 2020)
• Absence epilepsy accounts for up to 10% of pediatric epilepsy cases and often responds well to ethosuximide or valproate. (JAMA, 2018)
• Adverse effects are the leading cause of ASM discontinuation in both adults and children. (Epilepsia, 2022)