Lacosamide as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients with refractory focal epilepsy

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide in pediatric patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of children younger than 18 years of age treated at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, in whom oral lacosamide was used as an adjunctive treatment for refractory focal epilepsy. Clinical information regarding the patients’ epilepsy and the outcome of lacosamide treatment was gathered and analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients (16 boys, 5 girls) were included, with a median age of 13.9 (range, 1.2–17.9) years. The mean number of concomitant antiepileptic drugs was 3.0 (range, 1–6) and the mean duration of follow-up was 10.1 (range, 6.1–13.0) months. The mean maintenance dose of lacosamide was 5.4 (range, 1.4–9.8) mg/kg/day. Fourteen patients (67%) were responders; four of these were seizure free at the last follow-up. Seven patients (33%) were nonresponders: two of these presented with <50% seizure reduction and five showed no change in seizure frequency. Two patients (10%) discontinued oral lacosamide because of adverse events (aggressive behavior and depression). Mild transient treatment-related adverse events were observed in eight of the 21 patients (38%). Conclusions: Lacosamide represents a useful drug that is effective for a wide range of pediatric refractory focal epilepsy and is well tolerated.