Safety and tolerability of rufinamide in children with epilepsy: a pooled analysis of 7 clinical studies.
Rufinamide is a novel antiepileptic agent recently approved in the United States for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. To help inform clinical decision making, the authors analyzed safety and tolerability data from the entire pediatric population in the rufinamide epilepsy clinical development program. The analysis population comprised 212 rufinamide-treated (age range 3-16 years) and 197 placebo patients (age range 4-17 years) in the double-blind studies, and 391 patients receiving rufinamide in the double-blind and/or open-label extensions. The most common adverse effects observed in rufinamide-treated patients in the double-blind studies were somnolence, vomiting, and headache. Changes in laboratory values, vital signs, and weight were generally clinically insignificant. This pooled analysis of data from pediatric patients in clinical studies of rufinamide for the treatment of seizures, mainly as adjunctive therapy, suggests a favorable safety and tolerability profile in this patient population.
Wheless
James W
JW
Department of Pediatric Neurology University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center - Neuroscience Institute, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA. jwheless@utmem.edu
Conry
Joan
J
Krauss
Gregory
G
Mann
Allison
A
LoPresti
Antonia
A
Narurkar
Milind
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014230:Triazoles; C079703:rufinamide