Vigabatrin use in 72 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a new anti-epileptic medication vigabatrin in adults and children with drug-resistant epilepsy.


METHODS
An open, uncontrolled study in a tertiary referral clinic setting with vigabatrin used as add-on therapy.


METHODS
All persons with intractable epilepsy, predominantly with complex partial seizures, with or without secondary generalization.


METHODS
Outcome was assessed by the patient and physician in terms of reduction of seizure frequency and severity balanced against drug side effects.


RESULTS
Of 72 patients studied, seven are seizure-free and a total of 41/72 (57%) continue to take vigabatrin as they are deriving benefit therefrom. The results were most striking in patients with complex partial seizures with, or without, secondary generalization (65.6 and 60.9% ongoing treatment, respectively). Most of the 31 patients who ceased taking vigabatrin did so due to a lack of effect, but 9/31 did so because of adverse events: behavioural change, increased seizure frequency and oedema.


CONCLUSIONS
Vigabatrin has a definite role to play in the management of persons with intractable complex partial seizures where standard anti-epileptic therapy has failed to achieve control.
Buchanan
N
N
Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin