Evolving antiepileptic drug treatment in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
In the face of availability of newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as lamotrigine and topiramate, there is need to reassess the role of older AEDs in the treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether lamotrigine and topiramate monotherapy or polytherapy can be effective options in the treatment of JME, and to determine whether older AEDs, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine, have a role in the treatment of JME.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
A large academic teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-two consecutive JME patients treated with valproic acid, lamotrigine, topiramate, phenytoin, or carbamazepine between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2001.


METHODS
We compared the efficacy of valproic acid, lamotrigine, and topiramate monotherapy or polytherapy in the control of different seizure types of JME, and compared their efficacy and tolerability with the efficacy and tolerability of phenytoin and carbamazepine.


RESULTS
Seizure outcome did not differ when patients receiving valproic acid monotherapy (n = 36) were compared with those receiving lamotrigine monotherapy (n = 14), and when patients receiving valproic acid polytherapy (n = 22) were compared with those receiving lamotrigine polytherapy (n = 21) or topiramate polytherapy (n = 15) (P>.05 for all). The combined data of myoclonic seizure control by all 3 AEDs were poorer when compared with the combined data of generalized tonic-clonic seizure control by all 3 AEDs (P =.03), but not when compared with the combined data of absence seizure control by all 3 AEDs (P =.43). Valproic acid, lamotrigine, and topiramate, when compared with phenytoin or carbamazepine, demonstrated significantly better control of myoclonic seizures (P<.01 for all), but not of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (P>.11 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
Lamotrigine and topiramate are effective alternative options to valproic acid in the treatment of JME. Lamotrigine is an effective option as monotherapy and polytherapy. Topiramate is an effective option as polytherapy, but more data are needed to determine if it is an effective option as monotherapy. More effective therapy is needed to improve myoclonic seizure control. Older AEDs, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine, may not be indicated in JME patients.
Prasad
Avinash
A
Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, 312 Civitan International Research Center, 1719 Sixth Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35492, USA. prasad1a@uab.edu
Kuzniecky
Ruben I
RI
Knowlton
Robert C
RC
Welty
Tim E
TE
Martin
Roy C
RC
Mendez
M
M
Faught
Raymond E
RE
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000188:drug therapy; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants