OBJECTIVE: The present study reviewed the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of retigabine (ezogabine), a potential agent for use as adjunctive treatment in refractory partial-onset seizures. METHODS: A MEDLINE search (1966-May 2011) was conducted using the key words retigabine, ezogabine, D-23129, epilepsy, and anticonvulsant. Bibliographies of all articles retrieved were also reviewed. All studies including humans and published in English with data describing retigabine for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures were reviewed. RESULTS: Retigabine has been shown to interact with the KCNQ2/KCNQ3 subunits of the potassium channels, GABA(A) receptors, and weakly block sodium and calcium channels. Retigabine is 50-60% bioavailable, metabolized by N-glucuronidation and N-acetylation, 80% protein bound, and has few drug-drug interactions. Recent data suggest that retigabine may have a role as adjunctive treatment for refractory partial-onset seizures. Placebo-controlled trials demonstrated a 23.4-44.3% reduction in seizure frequency with 50% responder rates ranging from 23.2% to 47.0% with varying doses of retigabine. The most common adverse effects, occurring in greater than 10% of subjects in the clinical trials, include abnormal gait, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, somnolence, speech disorder, tremor, urinary tract infection, and blurred vision. CONCLUSIONS: Retigabine is a promising agent for adjunctive treatment of refractory partial-onset seizures.
OBJECTIVE: The present study reviewed the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of retigabine (ezogabine), a potential agent for use as adjunctive treatment in refractory partial-onset seizures. METHODS: A MEDLINE search (1966-May 2011) was conducted using the key words retigabine, ezogabine, D-23129, epilepsy, and anticonvulsant. Bibliographies of all articles retrieved were also reviewed. All studies including humans and published in English with data describing retigabine for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures were reviewed. RESULTS:Retigabine has been shown to interact with the KCNQ2/KCNQ3 subunits of the potassium channels, GABA(A) receptors, and weakly block sodium and calcium channels. Retigabine is 50-60% bioavailable, metabolized by N-glucuronidation and N-acetylation, 80% protein bound, and has few drug-drug interactions. Recent data suggest that retigabine may have a role as adjunctive treatment for refractory partial-onset seizures. Placebo-controlled trials demonstrated a 23.4-44.3% reduction in seizure frequency with 50% responder rates ranging from 23.2% to 47.0% with varying doses of retigabine. The most common adverse effects, occurring in greater than 10% of subjects in the clinical trials, include abnormal gait, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, somnolence, speech disorder, tremor, urinary tract infection, and blurred vision. CONCLUSIONS:Retigabine is a promising agent for adjunctive treatment of refractory partial-onset seizures.
Authors: Meir Bialer; Svein I Johannessen; René H Levy; Emilio Perucca; Torbjörn Tomson; H Steve White Journal: Epilepsy Res Date: 2010-12 Impact factor: 3.045
Authors: J A French; B W Abou-Khalil; R F Leroy; E M T Yacubian; P Shin; S Hall; H Mansbach; V Nohria Journal: Neurology Date: 2011-03-30 Impact factor: 9.910