The low therapeutic index of established antiepileptic drugs coupled with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of seizure production has led to the development of a range of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of epilepsy. In this review, the three drugs recently licensed in the UK (vigabatrin, lamotrigine and gabapentin) are profiled, together with several of the more promising up-and-coming compounds (oxcarbazepine, felbamate, tiagabine, stiripentol, remacemide and topiramate). Future avenues for clinical research in the pharmacological management of the epilepsies involve their rational use both singly and in combination.