Role of topiramate in adults with intractable epilepsy, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities

The efficacy and safety of topiramate in patients with intractable mixed seizures, mental retardation (MR), and developmental disabilities (DD) were investigated. Twenty patients (eight females and 12 males) aged 21-57 years old with intractable epilepsy with mixed seizures, MR [profound (five), severe (three), moderate (two), mild (eight) and borderline (two)], and DD were treated with adjunctive topiramate 25 mg per day for 1 week followed by titration to clinical response (range 50-350 mg per day). Other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were decreased simultaneously. Topiramate therapy was discontinued in four patients for adverse events consisting of disorientation, unsteadiness, and pneumonia (one patient); anaphylactic shock from a tuna fish allergy (one); patient choice (one); and loss to follow-up (one). Seizures improved by gt-or-equal, slanted 50% in 11 of 16 patients (69%). Two patients (13%) were seizure free, including one patient who prior to topiramate therapy was seizure free but experiencing an intolerable adverse effect during therapy with another AED. Seizure duration and/or severity decreased in seven patients (44%). An increase in alertness was observed in 11 patients (59%). Topiramate was associated with improvement in seizure severity and alertness in this series and may be useful as adjunctive therapy in patients with mixed seizures, MR, and DD.