Association of lamotrigine and valproate in refractory epilepsies of children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy or eventual side-effects of the association of lamotrigine and sodium valproate in the control of refractory epilepsies. METHOD A retrospective analysis of 37 children with a mean age of 12 years taking exclusively lamotrigine and sodium valproate. Efficacy of seizure control was considered satisfactory if there was a reduction in seizures>50% or total control. RESULTS The association of lamotrigine and sodium valproate was considered satisfactory in 65% of the studied children, independent of seizure type. Total seizure control was obtained in 33% and 35% had an unsatisfactory response or remained unchanged. Primary generalized tonic clonic seizures were the most common type with 84% of day-time seizures having a good response to treatment. Side-effects were seen in 11% of patients and the most common was tremor. CONCLUSION Total or satisfactory control of seizures was seen in the majority of patients and side-effects were uncommon.