Oxcarbazepine as add-on therapy in Thai epileptic patients with refractory partial seizures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine (OXC) as add-on therapy in Thai refractory epileptic patients.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in outpatients of the Epilepsy Clinic of Phramongkutklao Hospital. OXC in the doses of 600 or 1200 mg/d were added to 39 refractory epileptic patients with the median baseline seizure frequency of at least 2 per 28 days.


RESULTS
Of 35 patients who completed the 98-day treatment period, 4 became seizure free. A reduction in median seizure frequency of 47% and 58% was observed in patients in the 600 and 1,200 mg OXC/d groups, respectively. Among them, 44% and 53% demonstrated > or = 50% reduction in median seizure frequency. About 85% of patients in each group reported one or more mild to moderate adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
OXC in the doses of 600 and 1200 mg/d appear to be safe and effective as adjunctive therapy in Thai refractory epileptic patients. Further studies are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and tolerability.
Kraiprab
Petisara
P
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chinvarun
Yotin
Y
Tantisira
Mayuree H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine