Status epilepticus and tiagabine therapy revisited.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether antiepileptic treatment with tiagabine (TGB) is associated with an increased frequency of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in patients with refractory epilepsy.


METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively the medical and EEG records of all inpatients with refractory localization-related epilepsy at the National Society for Epilepsy treated with TGB between January 1997 and December 2000. Clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) data before, during, and after TGB therapy were evaluated in those patients who experienced a deterioration in seizure control suggestive of NCSE. Frequency of NCSE was determined in a comparable, non-TGB-treated patient population.


RESULTS
Seven (7.8%) of 90 TGB-treated patients were identified who experienced episodes of electroclinically confirmed NCSE. Serial EEGs showed deterioration during TGB treatment, with resolution of abnormality on discontinuation of TGB in all seven patients. During the same observation period, 32 (2.7%) of 1,165 non-TGB-treated patients developed electroclinically defined NCSE.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with TGB is associated with an increased frequency of NCSE in patients with refractory localization-related epilepsy.
Koepp
Matthias J
MJ
Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, United Kingdom. mkoepp@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Edwards
Mark
M
Collins
Jayne
J
Farrel
Fiona
F
Smith
Shelagh
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009557:Nipecotic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078308:Tiagabine; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009557:Nipecotic Acids; D000078308:Tiagabine