FDA approves Sunovion's Aptiom as add-on therapy for epilepsy

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating epileptic seizures, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate), made by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, as an add-on medication for seizures in adults. About 200,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy occur in the United States each year, according to the FDA.

"Some patients with epilepsy do not achieve satisfactory seizure control from existing treatment," FDA Division of Neurology Products acting director Eric Bastings said. "It is important we continue to make new treatment options available to patients."