Pregabalin as an adjunct to phenobarbital, potassium bromide, or a combination of phenobarbital and potassium bromide for treatment of dogs with suspected idiopathic epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess tolerability and short-term efficacy of oral administration of pregabalin as an adjunct to phenobarbital, potassium bromide, or a combination of phenobarbital and potassium bromide for treatment of dogs with poorly controlled suspected idiopathic epilepsy.


METHODS
Open-label, noncomparative clinical trial.


METHODS
11 client-owned dogs suspected of having idiopathic epilepsy that was inadequately controlled with phenobarbital, potassium bromide, or a combination of these 2 drugs.


METHODS
Dogs were treated with pregabalin (3 to 4 mg/kg [1.4 to 1.8 mg/lb], PO, q 8 h) for 3 months. Number of generalized seizures in the 3 months before and after initiation of pregabalin treatment was recorded. Number of responders (>or= 50% reduction in seizure frequency) was recorded, and seizure frequency before and after initiation of pregabalin treatment was compared by use of a nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test.


RESULTS
Seizures were significantly reduced (mean, 57%; median, 50%) after pregabalin administration in the 9 dogs that completed the study; 7 were considered responders with mean and median seizure reductions of 64% and 58%, respectively. Adverse effects for pregabalin were reported in 10 dogs. Mean and median plasma pregabalin concentrations for all dogs were 6.4 and 7.3 microg/mL, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregabalin may hold promise as a safe and effective adjunct anticonvulsant drug for epileptic dogs poorly controlled with the standard drugs phenobarbital or potassium bromide. Adverse effects of pregabalin appeared to be mild. Additional studies with larger numbers of dogs and longer follow-up intervals are warranted.
Dewey
Curtis W
CW
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. cwd27@cornell.edu
Cerda-Gonzalez
Sofia
S
Levine
Jonathan M
JM
Badgley
Britton L
BL
Ducoté
Julie M
JM
Silver
Gena M
GM
Cooper
Jocelyn J
JJ
Packer
Rebecca A
RA
Lavely
James A
JA
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001965:Bromides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001965:Bromides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C039004:potassium bromide; D010634:Phenobarbital