[Efficacy and tolerability of topiramate, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam in children with refractory epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
Topiramate (TPM), lamotrigine (LTG), and levetiracetam (LEV) are three new-generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which have recently come into use in add-on therapy for refractory childhood epilepsy in Japan. The aim of this study was to evaluate their efficacy and tolerability, and to clarify the role of these three AEDs in childhood epilepsy therapy.


METHODS
Three separate audits were conducted between July 2007 and July 2012. All patients studied had epilepsy refractory to other AEDs. Efficacy was confirmed if a patient became seizure-free or achieved > 50% reduction (50% responder rate: 50% RR) in seizure frequency for 12 months after starting add-on therapy.


RESULTS
A total of 55 children received TPM, 44 LTG, and 38 LEV. The 50% RR of partial epilepsy was 31.8% for LTG, 41.8% for TPM, and 52.6% for LEV. The 50% RR of generalized epilepsy was 28.6% for LTG, 26.7% for TPM, and 44.4% for LEV. The incidence of adverse events was 9.1% for LTG, 43.6% for TPM, and 15.8% for LEV.


CONCLUSIONS
LEV was the most effective of the three add-on therapies in refractory childhood epilepsy with partial and generalized onset. Regarding seizure-free, TPM was more effective than the other therapies, but it had many side effects. LTG tended to be more effective for generalized epilepsy, particularly idiopathic epilepsy, than partial epilepsy. We conclude that it is necessary to develop a treatment plan for pediatric epilepsies after considering the advantages and disadvantage of these new AEDs.
Takeo
T
Kato
Masatoshi
M
Nakata
Minako
M
Ide
Keiko
K
Saito
Takeshi
T
Yoshida
Tomonari
T
Awaya
Toshio
T
Heike
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D000069279:Drug Resistant Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077236:Topiramate; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D010889:Piracetam