Epilepsy is a common
neurological disorder. Despite a broad range of commonly used
antiepileptic drugs, approximately 30% of patients with
epilepsy have drug resistance or encounter significant adverse effects.
Eslicarbazepine acetate is a new central nervous system-active compound with
anticonvulsant activity whose mechanism of action is by blocking the
voltage-gated sodium channel.
Eslicarbazepine acetate was approved by the European Medicines Agency and launched onto the European market in 2009 for adjunctive treatment in adult subjects of partial-onset
seizures, with or without secondary generalization. This article provides an overview on the recent studies on
eslicarbazepine acetate in the treatment of
drug-resistant
partial epilepsy. Efficacy and safety of this
drug for partial-onset
seizures were assessed in four randomized clinical trials with responder rates ranged between 17% and 43%. Adverse events were usually mild to moderate in intensity and the most common were
dizziness,
somnolence,
nausea,
diplopia,
headache,
vomiting, abnormal coordination, blurred vision,
vertigo and
fatigue.
Eslicarbazepine acetate is not recommended below 18 years, but a published phase II trial had the main goal to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of this
drug in pediatric population.
Eslicarbazepine acetate appears to be a safe and effective
drug with a linear pharmacokinetics, very low potential for
drug-drug interactions and therefore it can offer a valid alternative to current
antiepileptic drugs. Additionally, it is undergoing investigation for monotherapy in subjects with
partial epilepsy, and other neurological and
psychiatric disorders.