Long-term profile of lamotrigine in 119 children with epilepsy

Lamotrigine (LTG) was reported to have a positive profile especially regarding cognition. Our investigation focuses on whether the experiences of physicians and parents of children with long-term LTG treatment confirm this. All patients of two neuropaediatric departments in whose treatment course LTG had been administered, irrespective of the outcome of the therapy had been included in this study. By conducting semi-structured interviews with patients' parents and epileptologists, we collected qualitative epidemiological and epilepsy related data on seizure rate, adverse events and assessed changes of cognition and vigilance of LTG therapy on 119 patients. Each of the patients had been in the constant and continuous care of one and the same experienced epileptologist over the completeobservational period. Seizure control was more than 50% seizure reduction in 46% of the patients and is herewith comparable to that of other newer antiepileptic drugs. In the majority of patients, physicians and parents rated the patients' cognition and vigilance as unchanged during therapy. If changes were reported, these were more likely positive than negative for the patient and most prominent in concentration and vigilance. Parents' ratings were comparable to physicians' view. Results of earlier reports of a favorable cognitive profile of LTG seem to reach relevance in the long-term treatment of childhood epilepsies, as the neutral to beneficial effects of LTG on cognition and vigilance in long-term treatment is confirmed by physicians' and parents' experience. Our qualitative evaluation is supporting LTG as an anticonvulsive drug with a profile suitable for the use in children.