Extended-release lamotrigine in the treatment of patients with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder primarily characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures resulting from excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Depending on the case definition and population studied, the lifetime prevalence of epilepsy in the USA is estimated to be 1.2 - 2.9%. In general, epilepsy is related to a significant increased risk of mortality and injury. A cornerstone of epilepsy management is use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). This review focuses on the AED lamotrigine, with particular emphasis on the extended-release formulation, in the management of patients with epilepsy, and the significant clinical issues that may be relevant with once-daily AED therapy.

An introductory section overviews the prevalence of epilepsy, current treatment recommendations for patients with epilepsy, and unmet needs in epilepsy management. This is followed by an overview of the AED market with currently available and developing compounds, a summary of lamotrigine and extended-release lamotrigine, clinical efficacy and tolerability studies with extended-release lamotrigine, and regulatory issues. The review concludes with an expert opinion summary on the important issue of treatment adherence, the possible role of extended-release lamotrigine in adherence enhancement, and additional research and areas which need further focus for optimal epilepsy outcomes.

The reader will gain familiarity with extended-release (once-daily) lamotrigine and clinical issues that may be relevant to once-daily use. Once-daily AED use might be one way to simplify the epilepsy treatment regimen and can pave the way for other approaches that can maximize adherence, such as a frank discussion of risks, benefits, and attitudes towards treatment - all critical components of a strong and positive doctor-patient relationship.

The AED lamotrigine is widely used in clinical settings and has become available in a once-daily extended-release version, which may minimize serum concentration fluctuation and presumably would both reduce patient burden and maximize treatment adherence as opposed to the immediate-release version of the compound. Adverse effects and safety concerns between the immediate- and extended-release versions of lamotrigine seem similar based upon interpretation of the limited literature.