Retigabine for partial onset seizures.

Ezogabine/retigabine (RTG) is a novel antiepileptic compound that activates a voltage-sensitive neuronal-specific outward potassium current that decreases neuronal excitability. RTG has been evaluated in three pivotal placebo-controlled randomized trials as adjunctive therapy in adult drug-resistant partial epilepsy. In comparison to placebo, adjunctive RTG effectively reduces seizure frequency. The relative risk of the responder rate (95% CI) was thus 1.71 (1.24-2.35), 2.18 (1.61-2.96) and 2.35 (1.72-3.22) for RTG 600, 900 and 1200 mg/day, respectively. The most common adverse events associated with RTG were nonspecific CNS side effects. No major effect on cardiac rhythm or conduction has been reported so far. Long-term open-label extensions of these three pivotal trials are underway. RTG has recently been approved both in Europe and in the USA for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults aged 18 years and above.