[Topiramate: an experience in children with partial epilepsy]

Topiramate (TPM) is a new drug currently used in Brazil. We verified the clinical responses to TPM in children under 15 years-old. We started with 12.5 mg/day (1-7 mg/kg/day) and the doses increased 12,5 mg each week. Eleven children were studied, 9 females and 2 males, from 3 to 14 years-old with partial epilepsy associated to different etiological factors. Only one patient had an intense abdominal pain. The patients had weekly or daily seizures and after began TPM 1 patient stayed free from seizures, 5 improved more than 75% in frequency, 1 patient improved more than 50% and 3 had no control. A good control of seizures was achieved with a low dose of TPM as monotherapy and add-on therapy with carbamazepine even in severe cases.