Progabide for previously untreated absence epilepsy

Ten patients suffering from absence epilepsy and showing generalized spike-wave paroxysms in the EEG were treated by progabide monotherapy. Findings concerning clinical data and serial 24 h long-term EEG recordings were compared for the pre-treatment and treatment period. The average total spike-wave duration in 24 h decreased slightly from 810 sec to 699 sec; at follow-up, in 4 cases this trend was found to have reversed. Concerning seizure frequency, a marked anticonvulsant effect could not be confirmed; an initial slight anti-absence activity in some cases seemed to be subjected to the development of tolerance. Side effects were rarely observed and if so were not severe.