Bibliographic Info
Recommendation
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
In comparison with enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic medications (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine) or valproic acid, newer generation anti-epileptic medications that are not hepatically metabolized (i.e. leviteracetam, lacosamide, topiramate, gabapentin and pregabalin) may be preferred to use in people with HIV on certain antiretroviral medications (protease inhibitors or non-nucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitors). If the treatment with newer generation anti-epileptic medications is not feasible, valproic acid is preferred over the enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic medications (phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine). In all cases, close monitoring of HIV viral load and regular clinical monitoring is required. If resources are available, antiepileptic medication levels should be monitored.