Survey of 260 epileptic patients treated with oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) on a named-patient basis

We report the clinical findings on all 260 epileptic in- and out-patients of a Dutch epilepsy centre ever treated with oxcarbazepine on a named-patient basis. All but three patients had been previously treated, in vain, with carbamazepine. Of 260 patients, exposed for 935 patient-years, 161 were still treated on reference date, the longest duration of oxcarbazepine treatment being 119 months. Fourteen patients were lost to follow up. Four successfully stopped treatment after full control of their epilepsy for over three years. Seven stopped because they got worse instead of better. Seventy-three did not benefit sufficiently to continue on OCBZ in view of alternative treatment possibilities. In one patient the final diagnosis was pseudo-seizures. The drug is particular useful in patients who require polypharmacy and patients with adverse effects to carbamazepine.