Add-on lamotrigine in pediatric epilepsy in India

Lamotrigine is a newer antiepileptic drug useful as oral adjunctive therapy in refractory epilepsy. Indian data on use of lamotrigine is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate add-on lamotrigine in Indian children with epilepsy. Twenty children (median age 90 months) receiving lamotrigine as add-on therapy for mean 26.7 (19.1) months, were followed for a median period of 7.9 (6-10) months. Follow-up was done every two weeks. The most common seizures types were either generalized tonic-clonic (6, 30%) or myoclonic (8, 40%). The average dose used was 3.86 mg/kg/day (with concomitant valproate). Good response (>50% reduction) or complete seizure control was seen in 72% patients. Side effects were seen in 27.5% patients and were mild in more than half of these. Lamotrigine was stopped in two patients due to adverse reactions, which resolved on stopping the drug. Lamotrigine was observed to be an effective, add-on, broad-spectrum antiepileptic with 'mild' side effects in Indian children.