[Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy with recurrent myoclonic status: efficacy of valproate].

Abstract

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is characterized by a specific pharmacological sensitivity. JME is controlled by certain antiepileptic drugs but may be aggravated by others. Valproate is the treatment of choice of this epilepsy. Among the "newer" antiepileptic drugs those that appear to be useful are lamotrigine, topiramate, zonisamide and levetiracetam. We present a patient with JME who experienced myoclonic status epilepticus every months not controlled with lamotrigine monotherapy (200 mg/d), not controlled with levetiracetam monotherapy (1000 mg/d). Addition of valproate (500 mg/d) to levetiracetam fully controlled the seizures and levetiracetam was reduced to 500 mg/d. The patient is presently seizure free.

• Authors: Arielle Crespel, Reana Velizarova, Pierre Genton, Philippe Gélisse
• Journal: Therapie (Therapie) 2009 Sep-Oct Vol. 64 Issue 5 Pg. 321-3 ISSN: 0040-5957 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Epilepsie myoclonique juvénile avec états de mal myocloniques récurrents: efficacité du valproate.
• PMID: 19863907 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Triazines
• Levetiracetam
• Valproic Acid
• Lamotrigine
• Piracetam

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Humans
• Lamotrigine
• Levetiracetam
• Male
• Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile (drug therapy)
• Myoclonus (drug therapy)
• Piracetam (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Recurrence
• Triazines (therapeutic use)
• Valproic Acid (therapeutic use)