title: Use of pregabalin for nonconvulsive seizures and nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of pregabalin (PGB) in treatment of frequent nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in critically ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 21 patients were identified as having received pregabalin for the treatment of NCS as determined by continuous electroencephalographic monitoring. The patients were considered to be responders if their seizures were terminated within 24h of initiation of PGB without the addition of another antiepileptic agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 21 patients who received PGB for treatment of NCS or NCSE, 11 (52%) were responders. PGB was administered via a nasogastric tube or orally and was the 2nd to 4th agent used. The average initial dose and total daily dose of PGB was similar in the responders and non-responders (342mg vs. 360mg, respectively). PGB was more effective in aborting NCS (9 patients, 82%) than NCSE (2 patients, 18%). Of the 9 brain tumor patients, PGB resulted in seizure cessation in 67% (6 patients). In contrast, all patients with hypoxic injury (4) did not respond to PGB. The responders were noted to have better clinical outcome (64% vs. 9% discharged home). Most of the patients tolerated the medication without any significant short term adverse effects, except two patients who were noted to have dizziness and sedation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregabalin may be safe option for add-on treatment for nonconvulsive seizures in critically ill patients when conventional therapy fails.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham,NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: Christa B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Swisher
authors.forename: Meghana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doreswamy
authors.forename: Aatif M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Husain
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069583:Pregabalin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid