Lamotrigine: clinical experience in 200 patients with epilepsy with follow-up to four years

Seizure. 1996 Sep;5(3):209-14. doi: 10.1016/s1059-1311(96)80038-0.

Abstract

This open, clinical study describes the use of lamotrigine in 200 adults and children with drug resistant epilepsy. Lamotrigine was used largely as add-on therapy and outcome was assessed by the patients, parents and carers and the physician in terms of reduction of seizure frequency, drug side-effects and improvement in quality of life. Of the 200 patients, 70 (35%) were rendered seizure free. Lamotrigine was especially helpful in resistant primary generalized epilepsy, complex partial seizures, mixed seizures subsequent to brain damage, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and in complex partial seizures which secondarily generalized. Fifty-three patients ceased lamotrigine; 30 due to lack of effect, and 13 due to side-effects. Lamotrigine is a very useful antiepileptic medication of a "broad spectrum' nature being effective in primary generalized epilepsy and partial seizures as add-on therapy. The side-effect profile is good with most side-effects being avoidable.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / complications
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy
  • Epilepsies, Partial / etiology
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / etiology
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lamotrigine
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazines / adverse effects
  • Triazines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Triazines
  • Lamotrigine