[Tiagabine: recent findings and recommendations for dosage].
BACKGROUND
Tiagabine causes GABA to remain in the synapses longer since it inhibits the protein GAT-1, which normally transports GABA for uptake by the glia and neurones.


METHODS
With its advantageous pharmacokinetics, it is particularly effective in patients with complex partial crises, and leads to complete control in 53% of new patients treated with tiagabine alone. Side effects are infrequent, especially when treatment with the drug is started gradually and increased weekly. The lowest effective dose has been found to be 15 mg/day. The usual maintenance dose is between 15 and 30 mg/day taken divided into 2 or 3 doses per day.
Universidad de Cantabria, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.
J L
JL
Herranz
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism; D000078308:Tiagabine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000187:drug effects*
D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000078308:Tiagabine