Felbamate: new preparation. May benefit multiresistant epileptic patients.

Abstract

Efficacy of this antiepileptic in the Lennox Gastaut syndrome is limited but there are no really effective alternatives for this severe form of epilepsy. Felbamate can have life-threatening adverse effects, including bone marrow aplasia and acute liver failure. These adverse effects mean that felbamate must be reserved for patients who are refractory to other correctly prescribed and administered antiepileptics, alone or in combination. Liver function tests and blood counts, including platelets, must be done before starting felbamate and then every fortnight during treatment. Felbamate can also interact with most antiepileptics, hence the need for close clinical monitoring to ensure the tolerability of the entire treatment regimen; plasma assays of the other antiepileptics may also be necessary. There is, however, no reason to monitor plasma concentrations of felbamate, at least pending further data.

• Journal: Prescrire international (Prescrire Int) Vol. 7 Issue 35 Pg. 78-81 (Jun 1998) ISSN: 1167-7422 [Print] France
• PMID: 10342924 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Propylene Glycols

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anemia, Aplastic (chemically induced)
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Evaluation
• Drug Interactions
• Drug Resistance
• Epilepsy (drug therapy)
• France
• Humans
• Infant
• Liver Failure (chemically induced)
• Propylene Glycols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Syndrome
• Treatment Outcome