INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CARBAMAZEPINE AND VIGABATRIN IN TYPICAL ABSENCE SEIZURES

Carbamazepine and vigabatrin are contraindicated in typical absence se izures. Of 18 consecutive referrals of children with resistant typical absences only, eight were erroneously treated with carbamazepine eith er as monotherapy or as an add-on. Vigabatrin was also used in the tre atment of two children. Frequency of absences increased in four childr en treated with carbamazepine and two of these developed myoclonic jer ks, which resolved on withdrawal of carbamazepine. Absences were aggra vated in both cases where vigabatrin was added on to concurrent treatm ent. Optimal control of the absences was achieved with sodium valproat e, lamotrigine, or ethosuximide alone or in combination.