efficacy and safe ty of lamotrigine as a dd-on the rapy in 132 children and adult iranian patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy

this study was initiated to evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of seizure control of lamotrigine (ltg) in children and adult patients with partial seizures (ps) with or without secondary generalized seizure. a total of 132 patients (age 5-41 years) with treatment-resistant epilepsy received ltg as addon therapy for up to four years. overall, patients were treated with ltg for 27 -226 weeks. the global assessment of seizure control compared to the three-month period before starting ltg treatment indicated that seizure control was gradually maintained during long-term ltg treatment for up to four years. the medical history of 23 patients who had a significant decrease in the number of seizures with ltg treatment indicated a subjective improvement in behavior, alertness, and quality of life. all 132 patients who received ltg as add-on therapy had used 2- 4 anti-convulsive medications 2-7 years before entering this open continuation study. patients had 7-45 seizures per month throughout the 3 months before entering this study. the overall decrease in the number of seizures was 58% after patients started receiving ltg. ltg was well tolerated. the majority of adverse effects were classified as being mild in intensity and only 5 patients (4%) were withdrawn from the study due to adverse effects (skin rash).