Efficacy of rufinamide in childhood refractory epilepsy

Özet

Rufinamide has been used as a new antiepileptic drug in the treatment ofdrug-resistant epilepsy, in recent years. The objective of this study was toevaluate the reliability of rufinamide and its impact on seizure frequency inpatients diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures could not becontrolled with ‘classical’ antiepileptic drugs. We retrospectively reviewedthe data of epileptic patients who were followed up between January 2004and December 2014 in the Pediatric Neurology Department. Patients whowere diagnosed with ‘drug resistant epilepsy’ and treated with rufinamidewere evaluated. Decrease in seizure frequency and drug side effects wereassessed as parameters. A total of 38 patients (14 girls, 24 boys) with amean age of 8.5 (range, 3.5-17) years were included in the study. The meanfollow-up duration was 25.5 (23-29.5) months, while the mean maximaldose of rufinamide was 32.5 (28-42) mg/kg/day. Response to treatmentwas assessed by the reduction in frequency of seizures. The decrease was 50%) was 55.5%. In the LGS group, patients withdrop/attacks showed the best response to treatment. Rufinamide was noteffective in two patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome. Rufinamide canbe safely used in pediatric patients who use multiple antiepileptic drugs andare unresponsive to the treatment. It was seen to be effective especially inpatients diagnosed with LGS and drop/attacks types of seizures.