title: Vigabatrin.
abstract: Vigabatrin is a structural analogue of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), which binds irreversibly to GABA-transaminase causing increased brain levels of GABA. It is an important advance in the medical management of children with epilepsy. It appears to be particularly effective in the treatment of infantile spasms, especially when caused by tuberous sclerosis. It is also effective in the treatment of partial seizures and some generalized seizures including those of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. However, myoclonic seizures may be made worse by vigabatrin. It is not yet approved for use in the United States but it is approved throughout most of the rest of the world including Canada and Mexico. Release in the United States is expected in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine 90095-1752, USA.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sankar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin