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Jin Y, Zhang R, Jiang J, Liu X. Efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in patients with focal-onset seizures: an observational, prospective study. Acta Neurol Belg 2023:10.1007/s13760-023-02236-8. [PMID: 37004703 PMCID: PMC10066937 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02236-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive lacosamide (LCM) in patients with focal-onset seizures, with or without combined secondarily generalized seizures. METHODS 106 patients aged ≥ 16 years were recruited consecutively in this single-center prospective observational study. All patients received LCM as an add-on treatment on the basis of clinical judgement. Seizure frequency, adverse events (AEs) and retention rates were obtained at 3 and 6 months after LCM introduction. RESULT The overall response rates were 53.3 and 70.4% after 3 and 6 months, respectively, and the freedom of seizures at the same points was reached at 19 and 26.5%. The retention rates were 99.1% at the 3-month follow-up and 93.3% at the 6-month follow-up. The overall incidence of adverse events was 35.8%. The leading AEs were dizziness (16.98%) and sedation (6.6%). CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive LCM in Chinese patients in real-life conditions. Based on our treatment experience, a universal maintenance dose of LCM would be needed in Chinese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jin
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, 107 Jinan Culture Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ranran Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, 107 Jinan Culture Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, 107 Jinan Culture Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Xuewu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, 107 Jinan Culture Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Epilepsy, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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2
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Zeng Y, Cao S, Yang H. Roles of gut microbiome in epilepsy risk: A Mendelian randomization study. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1115014. [PMID: 36922970 PMCID: PMC10010438 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1115014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have suggested an association between gut microbiomes (GMs) and epilepsy. However, the GM taxa identified in different studies are variable. In addition, observational studies cannot indicate causality. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the causal association of GMs with epilepsy and identify the most influential GM taxa. Methods We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 211 GM taxa and epilepsy. The GWAS summary statistics for 211 GM taxa (from phylum to genus level) were generated by the MiBioGen consortium, while the FinnGen consortium provided the GWAS summary statistics for epilepsy. The primary analytical method to assess causality was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach. To complement the IVW method, we also applied four additional MR methods: MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted. In addition, we conducted sensitivity analyses using Cochrane's Q-test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO global test, and leave-one-out analysis. Results We evaluated the causal effect of 211 GM taxa (from phylum to genus level) on epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, and focal epilepsy. After using the Bonferroni method for multiple testing correction, Class Betaproteobacteria [odds ratio (OR) = 1.357, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.126-1.635, p = 0.001] and Order Burkholderiales (OR = 1.336, 95% CI: 1.112-1.606, p = 0.002). In addition, 21 nominally significant causal relationships were also identified. Further, the MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO global test suggested that our MR analysis was unaffected by horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Finally, the leave-one-out analysis suggested the robustness of the results. Conclusion Through the MR study, we analyzed the causal relationship of 211 GM taxa with epilepsy and determined the specific intestinal flora associated with increased epilepsy risk. Our findings may provide helpful biomarkers for disease progression and potential candidate therapeutic targets for epilepsy. In addition, in-depth analysis of large-scale microbiome GWAS datasets based on metagenomics sequencing is necessary for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjie Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Si Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Heng Yang
- Department of Neurology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Imdad K, Abualait T, Kanwal A, AlGhannam ZT, Bashir S, Farrukh A, Khattak SH, Albaradie R, Bashir S. The Metabolic Role of Ketogenic Diets in Treating Epilepsy. Nutrients 2022; 14:5074. [PMID: 36501104 PMCID: PMC9738161 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a long-term neurological condition that results in recurrent seizures. Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The ketogenic diet (KD) is considered an effective alternative treatment for epileptic patients. The aim of this study was to identify the metabolic role of the KD in epilepsy. Ketone bodies induce chemical messengers and alterations in neuronal metabolic activities to regulate neuroprotective mechanisms towards oxidative damage to decrease seizure rate. Here, we discuss the role of KD on epilepsy and related metabolic disorders, focusing on its mechanism of action, favorable effects, and limitations. We describe the significant role of the KD in managing epilepsy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaleem Imdad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Turki Abualait
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ammara Kanwal
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Ziyad Tareq AlGhannam
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahab Bashir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Anum Farrukh
- Department of General Medicine, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi 45000, Pakistan
| | - Sahir Hameed Khattak
- National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (N.I.G.A.B.), National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Raidah Albaradie
- Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahid Bashir
- Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
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Li Y, Dong N, Qin Y, Dai H, Hu Y, Zhao Y, Guo H, Zhang Y, Chen J, Lu X, Chen F. Therapeutic drug monitoring of perampanel in children diagnosed with epilepsy: Focus on influencing factors on the plasma concentration-to-dose ratio. Epilepsia Open 2022; 7:737-746. [PMID: 36177517 PMCID: PMC9712465 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of perampanel (PER) therapy and to optimize a specific plasma reference range for PER in children. Another major aim was to evaluate the potential determinators of PER concentration. METHODS Concentrations obtained from 80 children were analyzed for routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) between 2021 and 2022. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of these patients and assessed the efficacy at 3 months after treatment initiation. Trough concentration-to-dose ratio (C0 /Dose ratio) of PER was compared among patients on various potential influencing factors. RESULTS A 3-month PER therapy produced a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency in 58.8% of patients. Twelve patients reported at least one adverse effect (AE), mainly dizziness. The monitoring data showed that the median C0 was 325.5 ng/mL. Under maintenance dosages, approximately 75% of the C0 values were 180.0-610.0 ng/mL. The C0 /Dose ratio in patients aged 1 to <4 was significantly lower by twofold than in those aged 4 to ≤12 years (P = 0.001). Enzyme-inducing ASMs (EIASMs) decreased the C0 /Dose ratio of PER by 25.9% (P = 0.165). In addition, seizure frequency reduction in responders was achieved at a median PER C0 value of 357 ng/mL, which was similar to the value of 314 ng/mL found in nonresponders (P = 0.288). No significant difference was found in PER C0 values between patients with and without AEs (P = 0.082). SIGNIFICANCE In this study, PER treatment showed acceptable efficacy and tolerance in Chinese children with epilepsy. Contributing factors like age to variable C0 /Dose ratios were identified, and complex PER-ASMs interactions were observed. Notably, the reference range, that is, 180.0-610.0 ng/mL, for routine PER monitoring may be more applicable for them. Routine TDM should be considered a positive attempt to manage the effectiveness and safety of PER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research CenterChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Na Dong
- Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yu‐Xin Qin
- Kangda College of Nanjing Medical UniversityLianyungangChina
| | - Hao‐Ran Dai
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical PharmacyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ya‐Hui Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research CenterChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yue‐Tao Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical PharmacyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Hong‐Li Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research CenterChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yuan‐Yuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research CenterChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiao‐Peng Lu
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research CenterChildren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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D'Onofrio G, Riva A, Amadori E, Lattanzi S, Rose K, Verrotti A, Striano P. Pharmacokinetic considerations surrounding the use of levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis in neurocritical care - an overview. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:575-585. [PMID: 36006892 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2117606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Levetiracetam (LEV) is one of the most widely used anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in clinical practice. This is due both to a different mechanism of action when compared to other ASMs and its easy handling. Indeed, because of its interesting pharmacokinetic properties, it is often used outside of the labelled indications, notably in the neurocritical setting as prophylaxis of epileptic seizures. AREAS COVERED A literature search was conducted and the most relevant studies on the pharmacokinetic properties of LEV were selected by two independent investigators. Current evidence on the use of ASM prophylaxis in the neurocritical setting was also reviewed, highlighting and discussing the strengths and limits of LEV as drug of choice for anti-epileptic prophylaxis in this scenario. EXPERT OPINION LEV has a "near-ideal" pharmacokinetic profile, which makes it an attractive drug for ASM prophylaxis in neurocritical care. However, current recommendations restrict ASMs prophylaxis to very selected circumstances and the role of LEV is marginal. Moreover, studies are generally designed to compare LEV versus phenytoin, whereas studies comparing LEV versus placebo are lacking. Further randomized trials will be needed to better elucidate LEV utility and its neuroprotective role in the neurocritical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Amadori
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Neurological Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Conca 71, 60020, Ancona, Italy
| | - Klaus Rose
- klausrose Consulting, Riehen, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06156 Perugia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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Steffel J, Collins R, Antz M, Cornu P, Desteghe L, Haeusler KG, Oldgren J, Reinecke H, Roldan-Schilling V, Rowell N, Sinnaeve P, Vanassche T, Potpara T, Camm AJ, Heidbüchel H, Lip GYH, Deneke T, Dagres N, Boriani G, Chao TF, Choi EK, Hills MT, Santos IDS, Lane DA, Atar D, Joung B, Cole OM, Field M. 2021 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Europace 2021; 23:1612-1676. [PMID: 33895845 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 420] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Steffel
- Department of Cardiology, Division of Electrophysiology, University Heart Center Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Collins
- Age-Related Health Care, Tallaght University Hospital / Department of Gerontology Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthias Antz
- Department of Electrophysiology, Hospital Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pieter Cornu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Group Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lien Desteghe
- Cardiology, Antwerp University and University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Jonas Oldgren
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center and Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Holger Reinecke
- Department of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Peter Sinnaeve
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vanassche
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - A John Camm
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, Molecular & Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University, London, UK
| | - Hein Heidbüchel
- Cardiology, Antwerp University and University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas Deneke
- Clinic for Interventional Electrophysiology, Heart Center RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt, Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Dagres
- Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center Leipzig at University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Tze-Fan Chao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan & Institute of Clinical Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Eue-Keun Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Itamar de Souza Santos
- Centro de Pesquisa Clínica e Epidemiológica, Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Deirdre A Lane
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Dan Atar
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Boyoung Joung
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Cardiology Department, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Oana Maria Cole
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark Field
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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Mehta D, Davis M, Epstein AJ, Wensel B, Grinnell T, Williams GR. Comparative Economic Outcomes in Patients with Focal Seizure Initiating First-Line Eslicarbazepine Acetate Monotherapy versus Generic Antiseizure Drugs. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2021; 13:251-261. [PMID: 33907433 PMCID: PMC8064618 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s303079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine the association between initiating first-line (1L) monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) vs a generic antiseizure drug (ASD) and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and charges in adults with treated focal seizures (FS). Methods This was a retrospective analysis of Symphony Health’s Integrated Dataverse® open-source claims data. Two cohorts were identified as having initiated 1L monotherapy with ESL or literature-defined generic ASDs. Linear regression models with person fixed effects and inverse probability treatment weights assessed the relative additional changes in HCRU and charges among patients who received ESL compared to generic ASD. Results A total of 250 and 43,220 patients initiated ESL (48.3 years; 57.2% female) or a generic ASD (54.5 years; 58.1% female), respectively. Compared to patients initiating a generic ASD, patients treated with ESL had additional reductions of 11.8 percentage points in the likelihood of any all-cause outpatient visits (P<0.001), 7.4 percentage points in the likelihood of any emergency department (ED) visits (P=0.013), and 22.7 percentage points in the likelihood of any FS-related outpatient visits (P<0.001). Patients initiating ESL had greater reductions in mean charges for all-cause medical ($2620; P=0.002), outpatient ($1995; P=0.005), and non-FS-related medical ($2708; P<0.001) services. Patients initiating ESL had greater relative increases in mean total prescription ($1368; P<0.001) and ASD-related prescription ($1636; P<0.001) charges, but greater relative reductions in non-ASD prescription ($269; P=0.032) charges. The increases in prescription charges were of a lower magnitude than the decreases in medical charges. Conclusion Initiation of ESL as 1L monotherapy was associated with statistically significantly greater reductions in any use of several all-cause and FS-related services, number of visits, and charges compared to initiation of a generic ASD as 1L monotherapy in patients with FS. Initiation of a generic ASD as 1L monotherapy was associated with significantly smaller increases in total prescription charges and ASD-related prescription charges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brian Wensel
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlborough, MA, USA
| | - Todd Grinnell
- Medical Affairs, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlborough, MA, USA
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Healthcare Resource Utilization Among Patients with Focal Seizures Treated with Eslicarbazepine Acetate in the US Long-Term Care Setting: A Retrospective Claims Database Analysis. Neurol Ther 2021; 10:673-691. [PMID: 33826104 PMCID: PMC8571427 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-021-00244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to compare healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) before and after initiation of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in the long-term care (LTC) setting (rehabilitation center, mental health center, LTC non-skilled nursing facility/assisted-living facility, home health, assisted living, nursing home, other/unknown). Methods This retrospective analysis used IQVIA’s New Data Warehouse, which includes deterministically linked LTC, prescription, and professional fee claims data and IQVIA Hospital Charge Data Master database. The study period was 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2019. The index date was the date of ESL initiation in the LTC setting. Inclusion criteria were: (1) ≥ 1 new ESL prescription between 1 April 2014 and 31 December 2018; (2) diagnosis of focal seizure (FS) during the 12 months pre-index date; and (3) no ESL prescription during the 12-month period pre-index. A 12-month pre-post analysis compared epilepsy-specific and all-cause HCRU before and after ESL initiation. Categorical variables were compared with McNemar’s tests. Results A total of 307 patients (mean age 52.2 years, 57.7% male) with FS were included, of whom 24.8% were in nursing homes. Patients used a mean of 3.1 antiseizure drugs prior to initiation of ESL, and 87.9% of patients initiated ESL as adjunctive treatment. There were significant reductions in proportion of patients with epilepsy specific physician office visits, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and all-cause physician office visits and hospitalizations in the post-index period compared to the pre-index period (P < 0.05). Similar results were observed in sensitivity (patients with an epilepsy diagnosis) and subgroup analyses [presence or absence of intellectual developmental disorders or age (≥ 65 and < 65 years)]. Conclusion Proportion of patients with epilepsy-specific physician office visits, ED visits, hospitalizations, and all-cause physician office visits and hospitalizations were significantly reduced following initiation of ESL in patients with FS in LTC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-021-00244-5.
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da Silva JD, Cabral LM, de Sousa VP. Stability Indicating Methods for Determination of Third Generation Antiepileptic Drugs and Their Related Substances. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 52:1524-1536. [PMID: 33678075 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1890544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The third generation of antiepileptic drugs that have been approved by international regulatory agencies between 2007 and 2018 include rufinamide, stiripentol, eslicarbazepine acetate, lacosamide, perampanel, brivaracetam and everolimus. As part of demonstrating their safety profile, stability indicating methods are developed to monitor these drugs and their impurities. In this context, this review describe some characteristics, impurities and the stability indicating methods used for the determination of these drugs and the presence of their related substances. Through a search in official compendia and scientific articles, fifty-six analytical methodologies were identified up to October 2020. The methodologies were developed using techniques of HPLC, UPLC, HPTLC, GC and UV/Vis spectrophotometry. A majority of the methods (∼70%) employed HPLC-UV. A number of these antiepileptic drugs were found to have had a small number of studies related to their stability and for the detection of impurities. The presentation of the current level of research on third generation antiepileptic drugs highlights the need for new stability and safety studies that are necessary to develop new pharmaceutical products containing these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Domingos da Silva
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucio Mendes Cabral
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valéria Pereira de Sousa
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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10
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Alsfouk BAA, Brodie MJ, Walters M, Kwan P, Chen Z. Tolerability of Antiseizure Medications in Individuals With Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy. JAMA Neurol 2021; 77:574-581. [PMID: 32091535 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Tolerability is a key determinant of the effectiveness of epilepsy treatment. It is important to evaluate whether the overall tolerability has improved. Objective To identify factors associated with poor tolerability of antiseizure medications (ASMs) and examine temporal changes in tolerability. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a longitudinal cohort study at a specialist clinic in Glasgow, Scotland. Patients with newly diagnosed and treated epilepsy between July 1982 and October 2012 were included from 2282 eligible individuals. They were followed up until April 2016 or death. Data analysis was completed in August 2019. Exposures Antiseizure medications. Main Outcomes and Measures Univariable and multivariable survival analyses were performed to examine associations between potential risk factors and development of intolerable adverse effects (AEs). Intolerable AE rates of the ASMs as the initial monotherapy were compared between 3 epochs (July 1982-June 1992, July 1992-June 2002, and July 2002-April 2016). Results Of 1795 patients, 969 (54.0%) were male, and the median (interquartile range) age was 33 (21-50) years. A total of 3241 ASMs were prescribed during the period, of which 504 (15.6%) were discontinued within 6 months owing to intolerable AEs. Children younger than 18 years had lower intolerable AE rates than adults (vs aged 18-64 years: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07-2.32; vs aged ≥65 years: aHR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.19-3.02) while female individuals (aHR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.30-1.96) and those who had more than 5 pretreatment seizures (aHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03-1.49) were associated with having higher risk. For each ASM trial, the risk of intolerable AEs increased with the number of previous drug withdrawals due to AEs (aHR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.28) and the number of concomitant ASMs (aHR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). The proportion of second-generation ASMs prescribed as the initial monotherapy increased from 22.3% (33 of 148) in the first epoch to 68.7% (645 of 939) in the last (P < .001). Although differences in intolerable AE rates and types of AEs were found between the ASMs, there was no difference in the overall intolerable AEs rates to the initial monotherapy across the 3 epochs (first: 10.1% [15 of 148]; second: 13.8% [98 of 708]; third: 14.0% [131 of 939]; P = .41). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, the increased use of the second-generation ASMs had not improved overall treatment tolerability. Greater effort to improve tolerability in ASM development is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bshra Ali A Alsfouk
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.,College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martin J Brodie
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.,Epilepsy Unit, Scottish Epilepsy Initiative, Glasgow, Scotland
| | | | - Patrick Kwan
- Central Clinical School, Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Central Clinical School, Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Nearly two dozen antiseizure medications (ASMs) with different mechanisms of action have been introduced over the past three decades with the aim of providing better efficacy or safety profile than the previous drugs. Several new ASMs with improvement on a classic drug family or have novel mechanisms of action have been recently approved for epilepsy. The present review explored recent studies or guidelines on new agents and discussed the potential impact of these novel treatments on epilepsy management and future directions of research. RECENT FINDINGS Long-term cohort studies showed that, collectively, the second-generation did not improve the overall prognosis of epilepsy. Individual monotherapy studies showed similar efficacy of second-generation (levetiracetam and zonisamide) and third-generation (eslicarbazepine acetate and lacosamide) ASMs compared to controlled-release carbamazepine for the treatment of focal epilepsy. However, there appears to be no evidence to support any second-generation or third-generation ASMs to be as efficacious as valproate monotherapy for generalized and unclassified epilepsies. Cannabidiol adjunctive treatments were found to be efficacious for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Although most newer generation ASMs are less prone to drug-drug interactions, stiripentol and cannabidiol can elevate the plasma concentration of N-desmethylclobazam, the active metabolite of clobazam. Generally speaking, the second-generation ASMs have lower teratogenic risk than the older drugs but there is scant study on neurodevelopmental effect of third-generation ASMs. SUMMARY Although the newer generation ASMs may not have improved the overall seizure control they have advantages in terms of drug-drug interactions and teratogenicity, and thus offer valuable individualized options in the treatment of epilepsy.
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Mehta D, Davis M, Epstein AJ, Wensel B, Grinnell T, Thach A, Williams GR. Comparative economic outcomes in patients with focal seizures initiating eslicarbazepine acetate versus brivaracetam as their first adjunctive ASD. J Med Econ 2021; 24:939-948. [PMID: 34311671 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2021.1960682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To study the association between initiation of first adjunctive therapy with eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) vs. brivaracetam (BRV) on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and charges among patients with treated focal seizures (FS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Symphony Health's Integrated Dataverse (IDV) claims data (1 April 2015 to 30 June 2018) were used to identify two cohorts as first adjunctive therapy with ESL or BRV following a generic anti-seizure drug (ASD). The index date was the earliest claim for a new ESL or BRV prescription. Key inclusion criteria were only 1 generic ASD in the 12 months before the index date; ≥1 medical claim with an FS diagnosis. Unit of analysis was the 90-day person-time-block. Changes in HCRU and charges were assessed using a difference-in-differences framework. Both unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed. The adjusted model utilized person-specific fixed effects and propensity score-based weighting to control for differences in baseline covariates. Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for charge outcomes. RESULTS 208 and 137 patients initiated first adjunctive therapy with ESL (43.7 years, 51.9% female) or BRV (39.3 years, 51.8% female). Patients in the ESL cohort had numerically larger reductions in all-cause and FS-related inpatient hospitalizations and outpatient visits and FS-related emergency department visits. Compared to patients initiating BRV, patients treated with ESL had significantly larger reductions in total charges (-$3,446, CI: -$13,716, -$425), all-cause (-$3,166, CI: -$13,991, -$323) and FS-related (-$2,969, CI: -$21,547, -$842) medical charges, all-cause (-$3,397, CI: -$15,676, -$818) and FS-related (-$2,863, CI: -$19,707, -$787) outpatient charges, and non-ASD-related prescription charges (-$420, CI: -$1,058, -$78). LIMITATIONS Claims may be missing, or miscoded; outcomes may be influenced by variables not accounted for in the analysis; only information on submitted charges was included. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with FS, initiation of first adjunctive therapy with ESL was associated with significantly larger reductions in medical and non-ASD-related prescriptions charges compared to BRV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brian Wensel
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlborough, MA, USA
| | | | - Andrew Thach
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlborough, MA, USA
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13
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Prediction of the recurrence risk in patients with epilepsy after the withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 110:107156. [PMID: 32502930 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many seizure-free patients who consider withdrawing from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) hope to discontinue treatment to avoid adverse effects. However, withdrawal has certain risks that are difficult to predict. In this study, we performed a literature review, summarized the causes of significant variability in the risk of postwithdrawal recurrent seizures, and reviewed study data on the age at onset, cause, types of seizures, epilepsy syndrome, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities, epilepsy surgery, and withdrawal outcomes of patients with epilepsy. Many factors are associated with recurrent seizures after AED withdrawal. For patients who are seizure-free after treatment, the role of an electroencephalogram (EEG) alone in ensuring safe withdrawal is limited. A series of prediction models for the postwithdrawal recurrence risk have incorporated various potentially important factors in a comprehensive analysis. We focused on the populations of studies investigating five risk prediction models and analyzed the predictive variables and recommended applications of each model, aiming to provide a reference for personalized withdrawal for patients with epilepsy in clinical practice.
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de Biase S, Gigli GL, Valente M. Brivaracetam for the treatment of focal-onset seizures: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2020; 16:853-863. [PMID: 32853036 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2020.1813277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The goal of pharmacologic therapy with antiseizure medications (ASMs) is to achieve a seizure-free state with minimal side effects. About one third of patients treated with available ASMs continue to experience uncontrolled seizures. There is still need for new ASMs with enhanced effectiveness and tolerability. AREAS COVERED The present manuscript is based on an extensive Internet and PubMed search from 1999 to 2020. It is focused on the clinical and pharmacological properties of brivaracetam (BRV) in the treatment of epilepsy. EXPERT OPINION BRV is approved as add-on or monotherapy (in US) for the treatment of focal-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization. BRV is a high affinity synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A ligand, with 15-30-fold higher affinity than levetiracetam. The selectivity of BRV may be associated with fewer clinical adverse effects. BRV shares many of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of an ideal ASMs. Additionally, BRV has a low potential for clinically relevant drug-drug interactions. Its pharmacokinetic profile makes BRV a promising agent for the treatment of status epilepticus (SE). Although BRV is not approved for the treatment of SE, it has demonstrated promising preliminary results. Further studies are needed to explore the efficacy and tolerability of BRV in SE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gian Luigi Gigli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Physics (DMIF), University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Valente
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine , Udine, Italy
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30 years of second-generation antiseizure medications: impact and future perspectives. Lancet Neurol 2020; 19:544-556. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(20)30035-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Abstract
Introduction: Lacosamide has been used in epilepsy patients in the United States, Europe and Asia since it was approved by the FDA in 2008. Many patients have benefited from this drug as a new generation of sodium channel blocker. With the worldwide use of this drug, its adverse effects have gradually emerged, especially some rare adverse events.Areas covered: The present review aims to summarize the adverse effects of lacosamide reported in the literature in recent years to promote the safe clinical application of the drug.Expert opinion: In more than 10 years of experience in drug usage, adverse reactions of lacosamide have also been gradually discovered. The review showed that lacosamide is safe and effective in antiepileptic treatment, and its common side effects are dizziness, headache, drowsiness, diplopia, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Skin rashes, hematotoxicity and heart damage, psychological symptoms and suicide risk have also been reported and emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Li
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Meizhen Sun
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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