Efficacy and tolerability of fenfluramine in patients with Dravet syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Seizure. 2021 Feb:85:119-126. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.12.016. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Abstract

Background: Dravet syndrome (DS) is an infantile-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome with limited treatment options. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fenfluramine in patients with Dravet syndrome using meta-analytical techniques.

Methods: We searched for relevant randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies involving children with Dravet syndrome on fenfluramine therapy in MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Web of Science database (31 July 2020). The primary outcome for the efficacy of fenfluramine was reduction in monthly convulsive seizure frequency. We carried out a random effect meta-analysis focusing on efficacy and safety variables. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed for each study, and GRADE was used to assess the quality of evidence for each outcome.

Results: Of 61 publications initially screened, 12 were reviewed as full-text. Seven articles including 2 RCTs, 4 uncontrolled studies (3 prospective and one retrospective study), and one case report described responses to fenfluramine in 144 DS patients (54 % male, mean age of 8.8 years, median dose of 0.4 mg/kg/day). Fenfluramine was found to be more efficacious than placebo, in terms of mean convulsive and total seizure frequency reduction (mean difference: -45.3 % (95 % CI: -48.1 %, -42.4 %, p < 0.00001) and -39.7 % (-46.7 %, -32.7 %, p < 0.00001)). A greater proportion of patients in the fenfluramine arm achieved >25 %, >50 %, >75 % and 100 % seizure reductions (odds ratios: 6.5 (3.7, 11.5, p < 0.00001), 10.6 (5.3, 21.3, p < 0.00001), 22.7(6.9, 75.3, p < 0.00001) and 9.3(1.7, 51.4, p = 0.01) respectively). The incidence of serious adverse events was not greater in the fenfluramine groups (OR: 1.02 (0.5, 2.19, p = 0.96)).

Conclusion: Fenfluramine appears to be a safe and efficacious antiseizure medication in patients with Dravet syndrome.

Keywords: Anti-seizure medication; Dravet syndrome; Epileptic encephalopathy; Fenfluramine; Severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Fenfluramine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Spasms, Infantile*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fenfluramine