J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2017 Jun;25(2):75-81. 10.0000/jkcns.2017.25.2.75.

Rufinamide in Patients with Childhood Onset Intractable Epilepsy

• Ahn H
• Yum MS
• Yeh HR
• Kim MJ
• Ko TS

• KMID: 2385926
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkcns.2017.25.2.75

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of rufinamide as add-on therapy in patients with intractable epilepsies.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 70 patients treated with rufinamide in Asan Medical Center, children's hospital. Two cases with incomplete medical records were excluded and total sixty-eight cases were enrolled. Rufinamide was added on the existing antiepileptic drugs and the total seizure frequency at pre-medication, 3 months and 12 months were examined.
RESULTS
The mean age of 68 patients (43 male) was 10.5 yrs (range, 1-24 yrs). At 3 months after rufinamide initiation, 5 patients achieved freedom from seizures and 28 (41.2%) achieved a ≥50% seizure reduction. At 12 months, 7 patients achieved seizure freedom and 29 (42.6%) achieved ≥50% seizure reduction. The retention rate was hold up to 75.0% at 3 months and 66.2% at 12 months of study. Total 29 patients reported adverse events in order of seizure aggravation, somnolence, insomnia, common cold, nausea and vomiting.
CONCLUSION
In this study, rufinamide is effective and tolerable in patients with other intractable epilepsy of childhood onset as well as the patients with LGS. Further research is required to define the efficacy of rufinamide in intractable epilepsy other than LGS.

Keyword

Rufinamide; Intractable epilepsy; Pediatric; Effectiveness; Tolerability

MeSH Terms

Anticonvulsants
Chungcheongnam-do
Common Cold
Drug Resistant Epilepsy
Encephalitis, Viral*
Freedom
Humans
Medical Records
Nausea
Retrospective Studies
Seizures
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Vomiting
Anticonvulsants