Clinical Efficacy of Vigabatrin as Add-on Therapy to Valproic ?Acid in Intractable Partial Seizures

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 12(4); 1994 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1994;12(4): 666-674.

난치성 부분성 간질환자에서 Vigabatrin과 Valproic acid의 병용 ?요법에 관한 연구

황연미, 김효경,강중구,이명종

울산대학교 신경과. 서울중앙병원 신경과.

Clinical Efficacy of Vigabatrin as Add-on Therapy to Valproic ?Acid in Intractable Partial Seizures

Y.M.Hwang, M.D., H.K.Kim, M.D., J.K.Kang, M.D., M.C.Lee, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Ulsan University, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy and safety of vigabatrin (GVG) (2-4g/day) as add-on therapy to valproic acid (VPA) in 14 adult patients (mean age 25.6 years, range 13-37 years) with severe and refractory partial seizures in an open clinical trial. All patients were receiving VPA combined with other conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The mean number of AEDs before ingestion of GVG was 2.36. The mean plasma concentration of AEDs before GVG was within therapeutic ranges. Seizure counts and safety data were assessed at regular intervals during 6 months follow-up period. Eighy (57%) of 14 patients showed decrease in seizure frequency by more than 50%. Mean number of seizures per month decrased from 8.3 to 4.4. Three patients discontinued GVG because of increased seizure frequency. Long-term effect was also evaluated after 1 year in 11 patients and 7(64%) patients maintained their beneficial effect. Discontinuation of VPA without the changes in improved status of seizure frequency was achieved in 2 (18%) patients, and decrease in dosage of VPA was possibled in 4 (36%) patients. GVG was very well tolerated. No patients had significant changes in hematology or biochemistry values. Psychotic side dffect was not observed. The side dffects were dizziness (3 cases), weight gain (2 cases), drowsiness (1 case), headache (1 case), skin rash (1 case), and gastrointestinal symptom (1case). GVG appears to be a well tolerated drug with antiepileptic efficacy as an add-on therapy to VPA in refractory partial epilepsy.