Naslov
Efficacy of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine co- administration in the treatment of epilepsy

Autori
Hajnšek, Sanja ; Šulentić, Vlatko ; Čajić, Ivana ; Petelin Gadže, Željka ; Nanković, Sibila ; Poljaković, Zdravka ; Krbot Skorić, Magdalena ; Bujan Kovač, Andreja ; Đerke, Filip

Izvornik
Neurologia Croatica (0353-8842) 67 (2018), 1-4; 3-9

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, epilepsy, pharmacoresistance

Sažetak
Objectives: Carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) are first-line antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for partial and generalized seizures with focal onset. However, from the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic point of view, CBZ and OXC are not identical medications. As CBZ and OXC nonetheless differ, their co-administration should be considered in pharmacoresistant patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study with the aim to determine the efficacy of concurrent administration of CBZ and OXC in the treatment of pharmacoresistant patients with partial epilepsy. The study included 24 patients in whom former a combination of other first- and second- line AEDs for partial seizures had been ineffective. The mean follow up time was 23.50±8.81 months. The majority (72.9%) of patients had symptomatic epilepsy and the mean disease duration was 22.29±15.30 years. The efficacy was estimated 6 months after therapy introduction. Results: The number of seizures before combined CBZ + OXC therapy introduction was higher (8.47±8.52) compared to the number of seizures after therapy introduction (4.49±5.44) and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.015). The combination of OXC and CBZ yielded improvement. Reduction of seizures (25%-99%) was recorded in 50% of patients. Clinically significant seizure reduction by ≥50% was observed in 29.17% of patients. The most common side effects were drowsiness, vertigo and hyponatremia, which was not clinically significant. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the efficacy of combined CBZ and OXC therapy, notably in pharmacoresistant partial epilepsy, with recommendation of using lower doses, which leads to better tolerance and avoidance of adverse effects.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA