Side Effects of Carbamazepine, Valproate, and Clonazepam During Long-Term Epilepsy Treatment

The document discussed the side effects of carbamazepine (CBZ), valproate (VPA), and clonazepam (CZP) during long-term epilepsy treatment. CBZ's side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and diplopia, were dose-dependent but did not include cognitive disturbances. Rarely, CBZ caused serious issues like agranulocytosis and hepatitis. VPA's side effects included gastrointestinal discomfort, weight gain, hair loss, tremor, and sedation, which were generally mild and transient, with serious reactions like hepatitis and pancreatitis occurring mainly in multidrug therapy. CZP's initial side effects included drowsiness, ataxia, and behavioral changes, which were usually transient, with long-term use being mostly free of side effects except for tolerance development.