Experience with topiramate monotherapy in elderly patients with recent-onset epilepsy |
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Authors: | Groselj J,Guerrini R,Van Oene J,Lahaye M,Schreiner A,Schwalen S TOP-INT- Investigators' Group |
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Affiliation: | Psychiatric Clinical Hospital Ljubljana, Slovenia. joze.grosej@psih-klinika.si |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of topiramate in elderly patients with onset of epilepsy after the age of 60, treatment-naive or non-responding to an initial antiepileptic drug. METHODS:Analysis of patients with epilepsy diagnosed in the preceding 5 years, aged>/=65 years (n=43), enrolled in a larger open-label trial (n=692). After titration to topiramate 100 mg/day over 4 weeks, the dose was adjusted according to individual response (maximum 400 mg/day). Patients were followed up for at least 7 months. RESULTS: After 7 months, 79% of patients remained in the study. Seizure frequency decreased significantly vs baseline (P<0.001); >/=50% reduction in seizure frequency was achieved in 87% of patients, 64% remained seizure-free. Both previously treated and naive patients responded. Fourteen per cent dropped out because of insufficient tolerability. No unexpected or unusual adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that elderly patients respond well to topiramate monotherapy. The high patient retention rate reflects a favourable tolerability profile in this population. |
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Keywords: | elderly epilepsy topiramate monotherapy antiepileptic drug broad spectrum tolerability |
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