title: Topiramate as an adjunctive treatment for refractory partial epilepsy in the elderly.
abstract: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive topiramate in 86 elderly Chinese patients with refractory partial epilepsy. Patients who had at least four seizures per 4 weeks during an 8-week baseline period, despite medication with up to three standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), were randomly assigned to receive topiramate (n = 46) or placebo (n = 40). Topiramate dosages were titrated (target dose 200 mg/day orally) for 8 weeks and maintained at stable levels for another 12 weeks; concomitant AEDs continued at original dosages. All patients completed the study: 47.8% in the topiramate group and 7.5% on placebo reached ≥ 50% reduction in complex partial seizures. In the topiramate group, the most common adverse events were dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, headache and difficulty with memory; most events were transient and mild or moderate in severity. It was concluded that 200 mg/day topiramate was effective and well-tolerated in elderly patients with refractory partial epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: L-Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Z-X
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077236:Topiramate
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose