Gabapentin monotherapy: II. A 26-week, double-blind, dose-controlled, multicenter study of conversion from polytherapy in outpatients with refractory complex partial or secondarily generalized seizures. The US Gabapentin Study Group 82/83.
This study evaluated gabapentin monotherapy in 275 patients with medically refractory complex partial or secondarily generalized seizures who were taking one or two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Following an 8-week baseline, patients received randomized dosages of gabapentin (600, 1,200, or 2,400 mg/d) during a 26-week double-blind phase comprising 2 weeks gabapentin add-on therapy, an 8-week AED taper, and a 16-week gabapentin monotherapy period. Patients exited the study if they experienced a protocol-defined exit event. Results of outcome measures, including time to exit, completion rate, and mean time on monotherapy, showed no significant differences among dosage groups. Possible reasons for this lack of a dose-response relationship include withdrawal seizures and the limited range of gabapentin dosages studied. Overall, 20% of patients completed the study. Completion rates were higher among patients who had discontinued one AED (23%) than two AEDs (14%), and higher among patients who were not withdrawn from carbamazepine (27%) than among those who were (16%).
Beydoun
A
A
Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA.
Fischer
J
J
Labar
D R
DR
Harden
C
C
Cantrell
D
D
Uthman
B M
BM
Sackellares
J C
JC
Abou-Khalil
B
B
Ramsay
R E
RE
Hayes
A
A
Greiner
M
M
Garofalo
E
E
Pierce
M
M
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D010919:Placebos; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin