Carbamazepine treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Evaluate the efficacy of carbamazepine in the treatment of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE).

METHOD:

The response of five patients with IGE, who experienced primarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures which were refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs, is reported.

RESULTS:

Carbamazepine controlled multiple seizure types and did not induce or increase the frequency of myoclonic or absence seizures in these patients. Many family members also responded favorably to carbamazepine.

CONCLUSION:

Carbamazepine can be used with caution as an alternative treatment option for refractory IGE, especially in cases in which the main seizure type is generalized tonic-clonic.

• Authors: Katharine Kenyon, Scott Mintzer, Maromi Nei
• Journal: Seizure (Seizure) Vol. 23 Issue 3 Pg. 234-6 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1532-2688 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24370318 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Carbamazepine

Topics

• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Carbamazepine (therapeutic use)
• Epilepsy, Generalized (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Seizures (drug therapy, etiology)
• Treatment Outcome