Efficacy and Safety of Vigabatrin in Refractory Epilepsy

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 11(1); 1993 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1993;11(1): 99-104.

난치성 간질환자에서 Vigabatrin의 효과 및 안전성에 관한 연구

이광수, 김범생,정진복,한상익,양동원,정성우

가톨릭대학교 신경과, 정신과.

Efficacy and Safety of Vigabatrin in Refractory Epilepsy

Kwang-Soo Lee, M.D., Beum-Saeng Kim, M.D., Jin-Bok Chung, M.D., Sang-Ick Han, M.D., Dong-Won Yang, M.D., Sung-Woo Chung, M.D.

Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, College of Medicine Catholic University

Abstract

Vigabatrin (gamma vinyl GABA) was used in an open study of add-on therapy in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Sixteen chronic epileptic patients (9 males and 7 females) with eight complex partial seizure, seven generalized tonic-clonic seizure and one rnixed seizure were selected from the Neurology department in St. Mary's Hospital of CUMC. Mean duration of epilepsy was 14.1years, and mean frequency of epileptic attack was 5.2 times a month. Before the entry for the study, all the patients had optimal serum drug levels and were taking one antiepileptic drug to limit of their tolerance. Maintenance doses of vigabatrin ranged from 2 to 3 gram/day. Seizure counts and safety data were assessed at intervals during 6 months follow-up period. Three patients complained of dizziness and G-I trouble and one patient gained weight. No changes in routine laboratory tests and EEG were observed during drug administration. Following administration of 2-3 gram/day vigabatrin, a 75-100% reduction in seizure frequency was observed in 31.3% of patients, and a 50-74% decrease in a further 18.8%. In 37.5% of the patients, the seizure frequency was not changed and more aggravated in one patient. Vigabatrin thus appears to be a well tolerated drug with antiepileptic efficacy in drug resistant cases.