Lamotrigine as add-on therapy in treatment-resistant epilepsy

The efficacy and safety of lamotrigine as add-on therapy in treatment-resis tant epilepsy were evaluated in an open prospective study carried out at fi ve centres in Portugal and involving 61 patients, Daily seizure diaries wer e kept by patients, and used by the investigators to give a rating of respo nse to therapy, Assessments were recorded after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 2 4 months, Overall, seizure control was improved in 57% of patients, remaine d unchanged in 34% and deteriorated in 9%, There were some indications that efficacy was greatest in patients with generalized seizures and in those t aking concomitant valproate, Efficacy was maintained throughout the 2-year study, It was possible to reduce the dose of concomitant antiepileptic drug in 56% of patients, and seven patients no longer needed a concomitant anti epileptic drug, Although 75% of patients reported an adverse experience, mo st of these were mild or moderate in intensity, did not require treatment a nd were not judged to be serious, A total of 13 patients withdrew from the study (four due to adverse events, four due to lack of efficacy and five fo r other reasons).