title: The efficacy of gabapentin in children of partial seizures and the blood levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term efficacy of gabapentin (GBP) and usefulness of measurement of the blood level for the observation of patients that have partial seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (20 effective cases and 10 ineffective cases) treated with GBP for the localization related epilepsy had their peak blood levels of GBP. The levels were measured seven time points, one, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36month after the start of medication. The efficacy of GBP was evaluated at one month after the initiation of medication and every year for 3years, based on the R Ratio and the degree of improvement for the paroxysmal strength and length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GBP levels were higher in the effective cases than the levels in the ineffective cases 6months after and 1year after the initiation of medication (p<0.05). The level 6months after the start in the effective cases was 5.429±2.384μg/ml (mean±SD), and 5.837±3.217μg/ml after 1year. The cases that were effective for 1year maintained approximately the same efficacy for 3years after the initiation of medication, but there was no correlation between the level and the R Ratio, paroxysmal strength and length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No precise definition of the therapeutic range was recognized because of no correlation between GBP level and the improvement of clinical manifestations. We recommend the GBP optimal range that is established the range within 3-8μg/ml (mean; 5μg/ml) as therapeutic target without the side effect.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Nonoda
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. Electronic address: tiwasaki@kitasato-u.ac.jp.
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Iwasaki
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin
keywords: Antiepileptic drug; Localization related epilepsy; Optimal range; Paroxysmal strength and length; Response ratio