title: Lamotrigine as add-on drug in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy and mental delay: an open trial.
abstract: We report the results of an open trial with lamotrigine (LTG) as add-on drug in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy and mental delay. Thirty-seven outpatients received LTG for a median period of 7 months at a daily dose of 5 and 15 mg/kg in valproate and non-valproate patients, respectively. The total number of seizures decreased by 100% in eight patients (21.6%) and by >50% in five patients (13.5%). However, the number of seizures remained unchanged in 20 patients (54.1%) and increased in four (10.8%). Lamotrigine was more effective in patients with typical and atypical absences, and in patients affected by atonic seizures. Six children (16.2%) developed generally mild adverse side-effects suggesting that LTG is well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascotto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine