title: Pregabalin: preliminary experience in intractable childhood epilepsy.
abstract: Pregabalin is a new antiepileptic drug that acts at presynaptic calcium channels, modulating neurotransmitter release. We report on treating consecutive children with severe drug-resistant epilepsy in a prospective, open-label, add-on trial. Nineteen children (63% male) aged 4-15 years (mean, 9.7; S.D., 2.9) were included. Most (74%) had daily seizures that failed multiple drugs (mean, 5). Epilepsy was symptomatic in 58%, and 74% exhibited associated cognitive deficits. Seizures were mixed in nine (47%), and four (21%) manifested Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Pregabalin was maintained at 150-300 mg/day. On pregabalin, one (6%) child became seizure-free, and seven (37%) had >50% seizure reduction. The percentage of children with daily seizures was reduced from 74% before pregabalin to 37% afterward (P < 0.002). Side effects were evident in six (32%) with somnolence, weight gain, dizziness, or behavioral change. The drug was withdrawn in five (26%) children for lack of efficacy, and in two (11%) for worsening of myoclonic epilepsy. We conclude that pregabalin is a useful addition in the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy. The drug should be used with caution in myoclonic epilepsy. Controlled studies are needed to establish long-term efficacy and tolerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. mmsjan@yahoo.ca
authors.forename: Mohammed M S
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Sobia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Zuberi
authors.forename: Bayan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Alsaihati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid