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Gabapentin, a new antiepileptic: First clinical experience in Ecuador

Abstract:

Gabapentin is a new antiepileptic drug used as add-on therapy for the treatment of refractory seizures. It is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, does not bound to proteins, seems not to be metabolized and has a great distribution volume. Determination of plasma levels is unnecessary and the drug is totally excreted unchanged by kidneys. A open prospective study was performed in 27 patients treated with traditional antiepileptic drugs who have more than 3 seizures per month, including patients with simple partial and complex seizures, partial seizures with secondary generalization and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Patients received gabapentin 1200 mg/day. Follow up was 12 weeks. Fatigue in 18% of cases and somnolence and visual disorders in 13.5% each, were the most frequent adverse events. Ten patients had secondary seizures due to organic lesions. Four patients abandoned the study fue to adverse effects. Two patients required a dosage increase to 1600 mg, achieving a reduction in the number of seizures. Although this is as small series of patients, our results are similar to those reported by others. Adverse effects are also similar to those previously reported. Partial complex seizures are the type of seizures showing the best response to the drug.