[Long-term efficacy and tolerance of topiramate in 44 children with resistant epilepsy].
BACKGROUND
Topiramate (TPM) is a new antiepileptic drug with multiple modes of action which should theoretically represent a wide therapeutic spectrum. However, there is still little clinical experience of its use in children with epilepsy.


METHODS
TPM was given during a period of 14.8 +/- 15.4 months, at an average dose of 6.6 +/- 2.5 mg/kg/day to 44 children with resistant epilepsy. They included 21 children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 14 with partial epilepsy, 7 with multifocal epilepsy, one with polymorphic epilepsy and one with electrical changes during sleep.


RESULTS
When TPM was associated with their treatment, a response of > 50% reduction in epileptic crises was seen in 76% of the cases (85% with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 64% with partial epilepsy, 71% with multifocal epilepsy) and suppression of crises in 12% of the cases (5% with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 21% with partial epilepsy and 14% with multifocal epilepsy). The drug was well tolerated and only stopped because of side-effects in 4.5% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
TPM is an antiepileptic drug with a broad therapeutic spectrum, good clinical efficacy in children and is well tolerated by them.
Herranz
J L
JL
Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Facultad de Medicina, Santander, España.
Arteaga
R
R
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose
Eficacia y tolerabilidad del topiramato a largo plazo en 44 niños con epilepsias rebeldes.