Romão TT, Angelim AIM, Prado HJPD, Goes FVD, Pires MEP, Fontana RDS, Pires LDC, Fernandes AR, D'Andrea-Meira I. Use of lacosamide in children: experience of a tertiary medical care center in Brazil.
Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2022;
80:1090-1096. [PMID:
36577407 PMCID:
PMC9797266 DOI:
10.1055/s-0042-1758366]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-seizure drug approved in Europe and the United States, either as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, to treat partial-onset seizures in adults, adolescents, and children. In Brazil, LCM is licensed for treatment only in patients older than 16 years of age.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a cohort of children presenting with refractory epilepsy who received LCM as an add-on therapy and observe the response and tolerability to the LCM treatment.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary health care facility, which included 26 children, aged up to 16 years, who presented with refractory epilepsy and received LCM as an add-on treatment. The follow-up visits were scheduled every 3 months until 9 months of treatment with LCM.
RESULTS
After 3 months of LCM administration, in 73.1% of the children, there was a reduction of > 50% in the frequency of seizures, and this clinical improvement was maintained in most patients (73.9%) for the following 9 months. Mild (such as, somnolence and behavioral changes) or severe (seizure worsening) adverse effects were observed in two and three children respectively. Among responders to LCM, there was a higher prevalence of males, fewer concomitant anti-seizure drugs, and lower percentage of patients using sodium channel blockers.
CONCLUSIONS
Lacosamide should be considered as an early treatment option in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy, mainly focal seizures.
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