An open-label self-control study of topiramate as adjunctive therapy in children with intractable epilepsy

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topiramate (TPM) as adjunctive therapy in children with intractable epilepsy. Methods An open-label, self-controlled study of topiramate as adjunctive therapy was performed in 44 children with intractable epilepsy including simple partial seizur (n=14), complex partial seizure (n=23) and secondary generalized seizure (n=16). The efficacy and safety of TPM, and it relationship with dosage were evaluated after treatment in 6 months. Results The total effective rate of topiramate was 58.14% (25/43) in this study. The effective (defined as seizure reduction ≥50%) rate of topiramate in simple partial seizure, complex partial seizure and secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure were 57.14% (8/14), 63.64% (14/22) and 68.75% (11/16), respectively. Only 2 responders were found in 6 children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The incidence of adverse effect was 46.51% (20/43). The most common adverse events were anorexia (37.21%) and weight loss (27.91%). These adverse effects were mild, and some of them might disappear in continuing treatment. The significant effect on blood and urine routine test, liver and renal function were not found. Conclusion It is demonstrated that topiramate adjunctive therapy is effective and safe in treatment of children with intractable partial epilepsy, although careful monitoring of adverse events is required during treatment.