GABAPENTIN IN GENERALIZED SEIZURES

The efficacy of gabapentin (Neurontin(R)) in generalized seizures was evaluated in this 14 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel- group, add-on, multicenter study. A total of 129 patients with refract ory generalized seizures were randomized to receive either placebo or 1200 mg/day gabapentin as add-on therapy. Patients received their stan dard regimens of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during a 12 week baseline period, and gabapentin or placebo was added-on in the subsequent 14 we ek evaluation period. Results of both an intent-to-treat (ITT) and eva luable-patient analyses showed that gabapentin provided greater reduct ion in the frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures than did pla cebo; however, the differences between treatments were not statistical ly significant. Gabapentin did not affect the frequency of absence or myoclonic seizures. Adverse events were reported by 67% of gabapentin- treated patients and by 56% of placebo-treated patients. The most freq uently occurring adverse events among patients receiving gabapentin we re somnolence, fatigue, and dizziness. Gabapentin is well tolerated by patients with generalized seizures. The results of this study show a trend toward an effect of gabapentin in reducing the frequency of gene ralized tonic-clonic seizures and suggest that further exploration of high dose gabapentin in generalized epilepsy is warranted.