A case series of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in refractory sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy (previously nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy). (25th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samarasekera, Shanika R.; Berkovic, Samuel F.; Scheffer, Ingrid E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of sleep research. Volume 27:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-02-25
• Subjects: antiepileptic drugs -- frontal lobe epilepsy; Sleep -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; 612.821
• DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1105

Abstract

Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of open‐label lacosamide in patients with refractory sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy. The study was a case review of eight patients with refractory sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy treated with lacosamide. Seizure diaries compared the mean baseline seizure frequency with the most recent 3 months of follow‐up. Five (62.5%) patients were responders, defined as ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency, over a mean duration of exposure of 21.5 months. The mean maintenance dose of lacosamide was 400 mg/day. No‐one reported worsening of seizures. Lacosamide was well tolerated with initial fatigue being the main side‐effect. Lacosamide is a potentially efficacious adjunctive therapy in patients with refractory sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy. A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study would determine its efficacy.