Abstract |
Thirty children (2 to 17 years of age) with refractory partial seizures received open-label felbamate as an add-on medication to their background antiepileptic drugs. The dose was increased up to a maximum of 45 mg/kg. Compared with baseline seizure activity, there was a 53% decrease in seizure frequency during felbamate therapy; 50% of the patients had more than a 50% decrease in seizure frequency. Patients older than 10 years of age were more likely to have a favorable response. Age correlated positively with felbamate concentrations and negatively with apparent felbamate clearance. Transient weight loss occurred in 57% of the patients; the weight loss was maximal after 12 weeks of initiation of felbamate, and subsided after the twentieth week of treatment. Anorexia and insomnia were reported in 20% and 16% of the patients, respectively. Adverse effects were generally tolerable; felbamate therapy was discontinued because of side effects in only one patient, because of a rash. We conclude that felbamate can be a useful and well-tolerated medication in the treatment of refractory partial epilepsy in children. However, increased apparent clearance of this drug in younger children should be considered in treatment of this age group.
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Authors | L Carmant, G L Holmes, S Sawyer, N Rifai, J Anderson, M A Mikati |
Journal | The Journal of pediatrics
(J Pediatr)
Vol. 125
Issue 3
Pg. 481-6
(Sep 1994)
ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8071763
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anticonvulsants
- Drug Combinations
- Phenylcarbamates
- Propylene Glycols
- Felbamate
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Age Factors
- Anorexia
(chemically induced)
- Anticonvulsants
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, blood, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Drug Combinations
- Drug Tolerance
- Epilepsies, Partial
(drug therapy)
- Epilepsy, Generalized
(drug therapy)
- Felbamate
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Phenylcarbamates
- Propylene Glycols
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, blood, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
- Safety
- Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
(chemically induced)
- Weight Loss
(drug effects)
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