title: Limited efficacy of gabapentin in severe therapy-resistant epilepsies of learning-disabled patients.
abstract: Knowledge on the effects of gabapentin (GBP) in learning disabled patients is limited. The objective of this study was to assess antiepileptic efficacy and tolerability of GBP in routine therapy. A retrospective open observational study design was applied. Twenty-nine consecutive residential patients with simple and/or complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization and with different degrees of learning disability were included. All patients had severe therapy-resistant epilepsy. GBP was administered as add-on therapy. Dosages were progressively increased up to 1600-2400 mg/day (in a number of cases up to 4800 mg/day), in accordance with clinical requirements. The seizure frequency was recorded and compared between a baseline and a treatment period (after 3 months of titration) of 3 months duration each. Only three patients (10.3%) had a reduction of their seizure frequency by 50% or more. No patient became seizure-free. Unwanted side effects, mostly mild and dose-dependent, occurred in 37.9% of all patients. Somnolence and ataxia were the most frequently observed unwanted effects. In two cases hyperphagia/weight increase, and in two other cases edema occurred.We conclude the efficacy of GBP in learning disabled patients with highly therapy-resistant partial seizures is limited.
authors: Bethel Epilepsy Centre, Maraweg 9, D-33617 Bielefeld, Germany. aerztlicher-dienst@t-online.de
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Huber
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tomka-Hoffmeister
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin