Role of vigabatrin and lamotrigine in treatment of childhood epileptic syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
Vigabatrin (VGB) and lamotrigine (LTG) are two new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with different mechanisms of action for treatment of refractory epilepsies. Previous reports have indicated efficacy of both drugs in a number of epileptic syndromes.


METHODS
We compared these new AEDs drugs to determine their respective efficacy against different types of epileptic syndrome and to develop a rational approach to their use. We reviewed the charts of 105 children, with partial and generalized epilepsies.


RESULTS
VGB was to be significantly more effective in children with partial epilepsies, and LTG was more effective in those with generalized epilepsies.


CONCLUSIONS
VGB and LTG have different therapeutic profiles. Combination treatment with the two drugs may represent rational polytherapy for patients with epilepsy resistant to treatment with either drug alone or as add-on to other AED treatment.
Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Ste-Justine, Université de Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Bélanger
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Coulombe
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Carmant
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006753:Hospital Records; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000077213:Lamotrigine