Long-term evaluation of vigabatrin (gamma vinyl GABA) in epilepsy.

In studies spanning more than 5 years, more than 1,100 patients with epilepsy have been treated with vigabatrin (gamma vinyl GABA, GVG). Sixty-two patients with partial seizures with secondary generalization took part in this trial: 41 patients continued in the trial after 19 months of treatment. After 36 months, the median percentage of baseline seizures was less than 20%. GVG is a very potent antiepileptic drug. It is well tolerated in humans. The side effects are few. Skin rash and other allergic reactions have rarely been seen. Tolerance to the sedative effect is in contrast to the lack of tolerance to the anti-epileptic effect.