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Phenobarbitone marks 100 years
Anti-epileptic drug phenobarbitone, along with the commonly used aspirin, is one of just a handful of drugs still being prescribe 100 years after its discovery.
In the early part of the 20th century, phenobarbitone revolutionised epilepsy treatment. And today it is still one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide, in spite of the fact that its anti-seizure mechanism is still not fully understood.
Epilepsy experts at Congress reported that the drug is affordable, simple and still recommended by the World Health Organization as a first option if availability can be assured.
Martin Brodie, director of the Epilepsy Unit at the Western Infirmary Unit, Glasgow told delegates: 'Phenobarbitone remains an important AED in developing and middle income countries. The centenarian has an important role to play in narrowing the treatment gap in resource-poor countries.'
Author: Nicola Swanborough
