Katherine D Holland1, Tracy A Glauser. 1. Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. Katherine.holland@cchmc.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to characterize the effectiveness and therapeutic doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) in children with localization-related epilepsy. METHODS: Treatment to initial CBZ monotherapy and doses associated with 1-year seizure freedom were examined in 100 consecutive children with partial epilepsy. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients studied, 55 became seizure-free on CBZ monotherapy, 10 did not tolerate CBZ within the first 3 months of therapy owing to either hypersensitivity or intolerable side effects, and 35 continued to have seizures. In children age <12, over 95% responded at doses below 17.5 mg/kg/day; in children age >12, over 95% responded at below 15 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that other antiepileptic treatments be considered when seizures continue in children taking carbamazepine doses between 15 and 17.5 mg/kg/day even if side effects are absent.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to characterize the effectiveness and therapeutic doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) in children with localization-related epilepsy. METHODS: Treatment to initial CBZ monotherapy and doses associated with 1-year seizure freedom were examined in 100 consecutive children with partial epilepsy. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients studied, 55 became seizure-free on CBZ monotherapy, 10 did not tolerate CBZ within the first 3 months of therapy owing to either hypersensitivity or intolerable side effects, and 35 continued to have seizures. In children age <12, over 95% responded at doses below 17.5 mg/kg/day; in children age >12, over 95% responded at below 15 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that other antiepileptic treatments be considered when seizures continue in children taking carbamazepine doses between 15 and 17.5 mg/kg/day even if side effects are absent.
Authors: Carlos G Vanoye; Christina A Gurnett; Katherine D Holland; Alfred L George; Jennifer A Kearney Journal: Neurobiol Dis Date: 2013-10-21 Impact factor: 5.996