Lacosamide as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients with refractory focal epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide in pediatric patients with refractory focal epilepsy.


METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of children younger than 18 years of age treated at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, in whom oral lacosamide was used as an adjunctive treatment for refractory focal epilepsy. Clinical information regarding the patients' epilepsy and the outcome of lacosamide treatment was gathered and analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty-one patients (16 boys, 5 girls) were included, with a median age of 13.9 (range, 1.2-17.9) years. The mean number of concomitant antiepileptic drugs was 3.0 (range, 1-6) and the mean duration of follow-up was 10.1 (range, 6.1-13.0) months. The mean maintenance dose of lacosamide was 5.4 (range, 1.4-9.8) mg/kg/day. Fourteen patients (67%) were responders; four of these were seizure free at the last follow-up. Seven patients (33%) were nonresponders: two of these presented with <50% seizure reduction and five showed no change in seizure frequency. Two patients (10%) discontinued oral lacosamide because of adverse events (aggressive behavior and depression). Mild transient treatment-related adverse events were observed in eight of the 21 patients (38%).


CONCLUSIONS
Lacosamide represents a useful drug that is effective for a wide range of pediatric refractory focal epilepsy and is well tolerated.
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Eulji University Hospital, Dae-jeon, Republic of Korea.
Jon Soo
JS
Kim
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Hunmin
H
Kim
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Byung Chan
BC
Lim
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jong-Hee
JH
Chae
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, SMG-SNU Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jieun
J
Choi
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Ki Joong
KJ
Kim
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yong Seung
YS
Hwang
Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: neuroandy@snubh.org.
Hee
H
Hwang
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000078334:Lacosamide; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000081:Acetamides; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000078334:Lacosamide
Adjunctive therapy; Lacosamide; Pediatric patients; Refractory focal epilepsy