Lamotrigine Monotherapy in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Focus on Seizure and Myoclonus Freedom
Abstract number :
2.251
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
3042
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
R.P. Kustra, Pharm.D., GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC; G. Morris, M.D., Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; J.R. Schimschock, M.D., Child Neurology Clinic, Portland, OR; A. Vuong, B.S., GlaxoSmithKline, Resea
RATIONALE: A recent study evaluated lamotrigine (LTG) as initial monotherapy and conversion from valproate (VPA) in patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME). This analysis provides further examination of the efficacy of LTG in patients with JME.
METHODS: In JME patients [gte] 12 years old, open label lamotrigine (LTG, LAMICTAL[reg]) dosing was escalated over 8 weeks as initial monotherapy(Group 1) or conversion from valproate (VPA, DEPAKOTE[reg]) due to side effects or lack of seizure control(Group 2). LTG monotherapy was maintained for 24 weeks at 100-500 mg/day based on clinical response. This analysis is focused on 1) patients who were seizure or myoclonus free for 3 months prior to enrollment and remained seizure or myoclonus free throughout the study, and 2) patients who entered the study with seizures or myoclonus during a 3-month historical baseline and became seizure or myoclonus free.
RESULTS: 29 patients were enrolled; 10 were seizure free and 4 myoclonus free at baseline. Mean LTG maintenance dose was 318 mg/day. Of patients entering the study seizure or myoclonus free, 50% remained seizure free and 75% remained myoclonus free. Of patients with baseline seizures or myoclonus, 26% became seizure free and 36% became myoclonus free.
63 patients were enrolled; 35 were seizure free and 26 myoclonus free at baseline. Mean LTG maintenance dose was 314 mg/day. Of patients entering the study seizure or myoclonus free, 31% remained seizure free and 35% remained myoclonus free. Of patients with baseline seizures or myoclonus, 21% became seizure free and 19% became myoclonus free.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that LTG monotherapy is effective in patients with new-onset JME and in patients converted from VPA. These data provide further evidence of the broad-spectrum efficacy of lamotrigine.
Support: GlaxoSmithKline
Disclosure: Salary - GlaxoSmithKline; Stock - GlaxoSmithKline