title: [Sulthiame treatment for patients with intractable epilepsy].
abstract: We examined the antiepileptic effect and side effects of sulthiame in 28 patients with intractable epilepsy. The patients' ages ranged from 6 months to 34 years (mean: 8 years 7 months), and 26 of them were under 18-years-old. Nineteen patients had severe physical and mental disabilities. Sixteen patients had generalized seizures, and 12 had partial seizures. Sulthiame was administered at the dose of 50-300 mg/day (4-14 mg/kg body weight) as add-on therapy in all except one patient. Among the 28 patients, two with complex partial seizures (7%) became seizure-free. Eight patients (29%) (6 patients with generalized seizures and 2 patients with partial seizures) showed seizure reduction by > 50%. Among these 10 patients who showed positive responses, six developed tolerance within 2-5 months. Side-effects were observed in 5 patients, including enuresis, drowsiness, and drooling, none of which caused discontinuation of treatment. Therefore, we conclude that sulthiame is an effective and safe antiepileptic drug for the treatment of intractable epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Shiga Medical Center for Children, Moriyama, Shiga. miyajima@terra.dti.ne.jp
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyajima
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumada
authors.forename: Nobusuke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Takayasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikuni
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujii
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013843:Thiazines; C084593:sulthiame; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides