Objectives:

The aim of this study was to report first clinical experience in Turkey using lacosamide (LCM) as adjunctive therapy in patients with focal onset seizure.

Methods:

Total of 128 adult patients with focal seizures (67 males and 61 females) were included in the study. Thirteen of 128 patients were withdrawn from the study due to adverse events. In all, 22 of the patients used combination of 4 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 36 used 3 AEDs, 34 used 2 AEDs, and 28 used 1 AED. Seizure frequency and severity were evaluated according to patient diaries and history. Treatment response to LCM was determined by assessing change in seizure frequency after 6 months of LCM therapy. Responders were defined as patients who achieved seizure frequency reduction of ≥50%.

Results:

Mean age of the patients was 29.2 years (range: 18–53 years). After 6 months of LCM therapy, 49 patients (42.6%) had achieved reduction in seizure frequency, with complete seizure suppression reported in 18.2% of patients (n=21). Response rate was <50% in 29 patients, and 19 patients did not respond to treatment. After use of LCM, 70 patients (60.9%) were categorized as responders and 45 (39.1%) were non-responders. Starting dose of LCM was 100 mg/day and was increased up to 600 mg/day as necessary (mean: 335±28.2 mg/day). Adverse effects occurred in 22 patients (17.2%).

Conclusion:

These data suggest that LCM is an effective add-on antiepileptic drug for focal epilepsy patients.

Keywords: Epilepsy, lacosamide, therapy