Epilepsia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Pregabalin add-on therapy using a flexible, optimized dose schedule in refractory partial epilepsies: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin (PGB) as adjunctive therapy, using a flexible-dosing schedule in Korean patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. ⋯ PGB was effective and easily tolerable as add-on treatment in an Asian population with refractory partial-onset seizures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam as add-on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures.
To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra) as add-on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. ⋯ Add-on LEV was effective and well-tolerated in Chinese patients with refractory partial-onset seizures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Consequences of antiepileptic drug withdrawal: a randomized, double-blind study (Akershus Study).
Despite side effects associated with the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), withdrawal of AEDs remains controversial, even after prolonged seizure freedom. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of AED withdrawal on cognitive functions, seizure relapse, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and EEG results. Additionally, potential predictors for freedom from seizures after AED withdrawal were studied. ⋯ Seizure-free epilepsy patients on AED monotherapy who taper their medication may improve neuropsychological performance with a relative risk of seizure relapse of 2.46, compared to those continuing therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
An international multicenter randomized double-blind controlled trial of lamotrigine and sustained-release carbamazepine in the treatment of newly diagnosed epilepsy in the elderly.
To assess the comparative effectiveness, efficacy, and tolerability of lamotrigine (LTG) and sustained-release carbamazepine (CBZ) in the treatment of newly diagnosed epilepsy in the elderly. ⋯ LTG and CBZ showed comparable effectiveness, with a trend for higher seizure-free rates for CBZ and better tolerability for LTG. Differences in outcome compared with previous trials may be related to different dosing rates and use of a sustained-release formulation for CBZ.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of oral lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial-onset seizures.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide when added to 1 or 2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, and assess plasma concentrations of concomitant AEDs to determine any potential for drug interactions. ⋯ In this trial, adjunctive lacosamide significantly reduced seizure frequency in patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures. Along with favorable pharmacokinetic and tolerability profiles, these results support further development of lacosamide as an AED.