title: Topiramate or valproate in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: a randomized open-label comparison.
abstract: Few randomized, controlled trials evaluating antiepileptic drug (AED) efficacy and tolerability have focused solely on patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). We conducted a pilot, randomized controlled trial comparing topiramate (N=19) and valproate (N=9) in adolescents/adults with JME to evaluate clinical response when these broad-spectrum agents are titrated to optimal effect. Rating scales were used to systematically assess tolerability. Among patients completing 26 weeks of treatment, 8 of 12 (67%) in the topiramate group and 4 of 7 (57%) in the valproate group were seizure-free during the 12-week maintenance period. Median daily dose was 250mg topiramate or 750mg valproate. Two (11%) topiramate-treated patients and one (11%) valproate-treated patient discontinued due to adverse events. Systemic toxicity scores, but not neurotoxicity scores, differed substantially between the two groups; greater systemic toxicity was associated with valproate. Our preliminary findings that topiramate may be an effective, well-tolerated alternative to valproate warrant validation in a double-blind trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Levisohn
authors.forename: Katherine D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000077236:Topiramate; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D014635:Valproic Acid