[Lamotrigine in refractory partial and general epilepsies].
BACKGROUND
Lamotrigine (LTG) is a new antiepileptic drug that it has proved to be efficacious in treating patients with partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adjunctive and monotherapy. It has similar efficacy in comparison with carbamazepine and phenytoin with a minor number of adverse experiences.


METHODS
We report the use of LTG in adjunctive therapy in 106 adults patients with refractory epilepsy (efficacy and safety) with partial and generalized seizures, with follow-up to 3.4 years. The LTG mean doses used was 273 mg/day.


RESULTS
66% of patients experienced a > or = 50% reduction in seizure frequency, with 30% in remission. Both partial, secondarily generalized and generalized seizures showed significant reductions with LTG treatment. LTG was well tolerated in our patients. Side effects were minor. No case of rash was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
LTG is a excellent agent for adjunctive therapy in refractory epilepsy.
Mauri-Llerda
J A
JA
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, España.
Tejero
C
C
Espada
F
F
Iñiguez
C
C
Morales
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001247:Asthenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine