Lacosamide and sodium channel-blocking antiepileptic drug cross-titration against levetiracetam background therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess prospectively the effectiveness of lacosamide (LCM) added to levetiracetam (LEV) after down-titration of a concomitant sodium channel blocker (SCB) among patients with focal epilepsy not adequately controlled on LEV and SCB.

Methods

In this open-label trial, LCM was initiated at 100 mg/day and up-titrated to 200-600 mg/day over 9 weeks; SCB down-titration started when LCM dose reached 200 mg/day. Patients remained on stable LCM/LEV doses for 12 weeks' maintenance (21-week treatment period). The primary outcome was retention rate on LCM.

Results

Due to recruitment challenges, fewer than the planned 300 patients participated in the trial, resulting in the trial being underpowered. Overall, 120 patients (mean age 39.7 years) started and 93 completed t

SUBMITTER: Baulac M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5347878 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature