Katharine Kenyon1, Scott Mintzer2, Maromi Nei3. 1. School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. 2. Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. 3. Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. Electronic address: Maromi.Nei@jefferson.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Evaluate the efficacy of carbamazepine in the treatment of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). METHOD: The response of five patients with IGE, who experienced primarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures which were refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs, is reported. RESULTS: Carbamazepine controlled multiple seizure types and did not induce or increase the frequency of myoclonic or absence seizures in these patients. Many family members also responded favorably to carbamazepine. CONCLUSION: Carbamazepine can be used with caution as an alternative treatment option for refractory IGE, especially in cases in which the main seizure type is generalized tonic-clonic.
PURPOSE: Evaluate the efficacy of carbamazepine in the treatment of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). METHOD: The response of five patients with IGE, who experienced primarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures which were refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs, is reported. RESULTS:Carbamazepine controlled multiple seizure types and did not induce or increase the frequency of myoclonic or absence seizures in these patients. Many family members also responded favorably to carbamazepine. CONCLUSION:Carbamazepine can be used with caution as an alternative treatment option for refractory IGE, especially in cases in which the main seizure type is generalized tonic-clonic.