Abstracts

Lamotrigine (LTG) is fairly new Anti-epileptic drug (AED) that is FDA approved for adjunctive use in partial epilepsy, as well as first line use in primary generalized epilepsy. The objective of this study was to evaluate our clinical experience with this medication in an academic referral center. A retrospective review of twenty-two charts was performed. Patients were treated from the date of May 2003 to March 2004 The patients had been started on low doses, 25 mg/day, and titrated up to maintenance doses of 100mg bid, in some cases as high as 200mg bid. The patients were evaluated regarding efficacy and side effects (SE). LTG was used in twenty-two patients, their ages ranging from 4 years to 72 years. Five patients were lost to follow up, and attempted contact was not successful. Out of the remaining 17, eight (47%) had partial-onset epilepsy, the other nine (53%) had primary generalized epilepsy. For nine patients (53%) this was their first and only AED. For the others, they were on one other AED (in one case two other AED[rsquo]s). The most common other AED was Oxcarbamazepine (3 patients, 38%). Fewer than 30% (5 patients) suffered SE. The most common SE was rash in 3 patients. The rash was not serious, and medication was stopped immediately. One patient[rsquo]s rash occurred due to rapid increase in medication that was not followed per protocol. Of the 12 patients who did not have SE, 100% of them had an improvement in their seizure activity. 8 patients ( 67%) had a reduction of seizure activity [gt]50%. 4 patients (33%) remained seizure free for the time period. LTG is well tolerated in patients with both partial and primary epilepsy. It can be given as mono-therapy or as adjunctive therapy. The most common side effect is a rash. LTG has a favorable out come for both pediatric and adult populations.