title: Felbamate in therapy-resistant epilepsy: an Italian experience. Felbamate Italian Study Group.
abstract: We evaluated the use of felbamate in 379 adults and children with refractory epilepsies in an open-label, compassionate clinical use setting. Prior to the termination of the program, because of reports of aplastic anemia, 351 patients had completed 2 months of treatment with felbamate at a dose of 2400-3600 mg/day for adults or 30-45 mg/kg/day for children. Of the 246 patients who had a diagnosis of therapy-refractory localization-related epilepsy with or without secondary generalization, 52% (126/246) achieved a seizure reduction of 50% or more, including 10% (25/246) who became seizure free. There was no difference in response rate between adults and children. Of the 80 patients who had a diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), 60% (48/80) achieved a seizure reduction of 50% or more, including 6% (5/80) who became seizure free. Of the 25 patients with a diagnosis of generalized epilepsy (other than LGS) or undetermined epilepsy whether focal or generalized, 60% (15/25) achieved a seizure reduction of 50% or more, including 12% (3/24) who became seizure free. The results of this uncontrolled study suggest that felbamate could be useful in patients with epilepsies which are refractory to other antiepileptic drugs after careful risk-benefit assessment and consideration of all circumstances involved.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologica, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avanzini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dalla Bernardina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vigevano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000139:chemically induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000078328:Felbamate; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019233:Retreatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D000078328:Felbamate