ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and side effects of lamotrigine (LTG) on seizures.

Epilepsy outpatient clinic records for 416 patients who had been monitored for at least 6 months were studied retrospectively. Age, sex, seizure type, number of seizures, additional drugs used in treatment, duration of treatment, and drug side effects were analyzed.

Of the 416 patients, 244 (58.7%) were female, and 162 were male (41.3%). Mean age was 33.2±10.7. Monthly seizure rates were reduced 67.3% with LTG treatment, and 328 patients (78.8%) were still receiving treatment, while 88 (21.2%) had stopped usage due to side effects or for other reasons. Of these side effects, dizziness (5.5%) and rash (4.3%) were the most common. Pregnancy occurred in 18 patients on LTG treatment, and no malformation was detected at birth.

In refractory epileptic patients, LTG has a high activity level and an acceptable side effect profile.

Keywords: Effects and side effects, epilepsy, lamotrigine