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A multicentre study of vigabatrin for drug‐resistant epilepsy.
Author(s) -
Browne TR,
Mattson RH,
Penry JK,
Smith DB,
Treiman DM,
Wilder BJ,
Ben Menachem E,
Miketta RM,
Sherry KM,
Szabo GK
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1989.tb03468.x
Subject(s) - vigabatrin , epilepsy , medicine , drug resistant epilepsy , drug , pharmacology , anticonvulsant , psychiatry
1. Vigabatrin (GVG) was given in a single‐blind fashion to 89 patients with complex partial seizures (CPS) refractory to conventional drugs. 2. The median number of CPS per month decreased from 11.0 to 5.0 after addition of GVG, and 51% of patients had a 50% or greater decrease in CPS frequency (P less than 0.001). 3. Side effects (principally drowsiness, ataxia, headache) occurred mainly during the initiation of therapy and decreased during therapy. After 12 weeks on GVG side effects significantly interfered with functioning in only 13% of patients, and the efficacy: toxicity ratio warranted continued administration in 74% of patients. 4. Co‐administration of GVG resulted in a mean decrease of 20% in phenytoin serum concentration (P less than 0.001). 5. Sixty‐six patients having a favourable response to GVG during the single‐blind study have been followed for 6‐54 (median 33) months on GVG. Only 17 patients have dropped out of long‐term follow‐up due to break through seizures and/or side effects. No serious systemic or neurological toxicity has been detected.