Clinical study of lamotrigine add-on therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy in children / 国际儿科学杂志

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in children and to analyze the efficacy of lamotrigine (LTG) add-on therapy for DRE in children of different seizure type, syndrome and etiological category.Methods:All cases of DRE patients treated with LTG or other antiseizure medication (ASM) adjunctive therapy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2019 to April 2020 were collected.The LTG add-on therapy group was treated with LTG add-on therapy, and the control group was treated with other ASM add-on therapy.The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 134 cases meeting the requirement of research were collected, including 98 cases in the LTG add-on therapy group and 36 cases in the control group.For seizure of focal onset and unknown origin, there was statistical difference in efficacy between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group ( Z=-2.48、-2.11, P<0.05), but for generalized DRE in children, there was no statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups ( Z=-0.39, P>0.05). There was a significantly statistical difference in curative effect between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group for childhood DRE which could not be classified as any epileptic syndrome ( Z=-3.99, P<0.01), but there was no statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups for West syndrome and benign epilepsy accompanied by central temporal spikes ( Z=-0.94、-1.22, P>0.05). For childhood intractable epilepsy with unknown etiology, there was statistical difference in efficacy between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group ( Z=-1.96, P<0.05), and for childhood intractable epilepsy with structural etiology, there was significantly statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups ( Z=-3.07, P<0.01), but there was no statistical difference in the efficacy for childhood intractable epilepsy with genetic etiology between the two groups ( Z=-1.02, P>0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy of LTG add-on therapy is significantly better than others for childhood DRE with seizure of focal onset or unknown origin, childhood DRE unclassified to any syndrome, and childhood DRE with structural etiology and unknown origin, especially with structural etiology.

Add-on therapy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with insulin therapy: An efficacy and safety study

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract (IND-2) add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were on insulin treatment in prospective, single arm, open-label, uncontrolled, multicentre trial. Methods: T2DM patients (n=30) with aged 18-80 years who were stabilized on insulin treatment with fasting blood sugar (FBS) level between 100-140 mg/dL received IND-2 capsules (700 mg, thrice a day) for 16 weeks. The primary endpoints were an assessment of FBS at week 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16. Secondary end-points include post-prandial blood sugar level, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c), reduction in the dose of insulin and number of hypoglycemic attacks, and improvement in lipid profile at various weeks. Safety and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed during the study. Results: Study was completed in twenty T2DM patients, and there was no significant reduction in FBS and post-prandial blood sugar level after addon therapy of IND-2. However, add-on therapy of IND-2 significantly reduced (P<0.01) the HbA1c values, requirements of insulin and hypoglycemic events as compared with baseline. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteincholesterol levels were significantly increased (P<0.01) after IND-2 add-on therapy. Body weight and safety outcomes did not differ significantly in IND-2 add-on therapy group at week 16. Additionally, add-on therapy of IND-2 did not produce any serious adverse events. Conclusions: The results of present investigation suggest that add-on therapy of IND-2 with insulin in T2DM patients improves glycaemic control through a decrease in levels of HbA1c and number of insulin doses needed per day without an increase in body weight and risk of hypoglycemia. Thus, IND-2 may provide a safe and well-tolerated add-on therapy option for the management of T2DM.

Add-on therapy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with insulin therapy: An efficacy and safety study

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract (IND-2) add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were on insulin treatment in prospective, single arm, open-label, uncontrolled, multicentre trial. Methods: T2DM patients (n=30) with aged 18-80 years who were stabilized on insulin treatment with fasting blood sugar (FBS) level between 100-140 mg/dL received IND-2 capsules (700 mg, thrice a day) for 16 weeks. The primary endpoints were an assessment of FBS at week 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16. Secondary end-points include post-prandial blood sugar level, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c), reduction in the dose of insulin and number of hypoglycemic attacks, and improvement in lipid profile at various weeks. Safety and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed during the study. Results: Study was completed in twenty T2DM patients, and there was no significant reduction in FBS and post-prandial blood sugar level after add-on therapy of IND-2. However, add-on therapy of IND-2 significantly reduced (P<0.01) the HbA1c values, requirements of insulin and hypoglycemic events as compared with baseline. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly increased (P<0.01) after IND-2 add-on therapy. Body weight and safety outcomes did not differ significantly in IND-2 add-on therapy group at week 16. Additionally, add-on therapy of IND-2 did not produce any serious adverse events. Conclusions: The results of present investigation suggest that add-on therapy of IND-2 with insulin in T2DM patients improves glycaemic control through a decrease in levels of HbA1c and number of insulin doses needed per day without an increase in body weight and risk of hypoglycemia. Thus, IND-2 may provide a safe and well-tolerated add-on therapy option for the management of T2DM.

Clobazam in refractory childhood epilepsy.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of clobazam in childhood refractory epilepsy and to characterize the adverse drug reaction profile in the Indian population. Methods. A cohort of 88 children with ‘refractory’ epilepsy was started on clobazam as add-on therapy. Diagnosis was established and seizure type recorded. Therapeutic response was recorded as ‘complete’, ‘good’, and ‘no response’. Observed side effects were classified as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ and ‘severe’. Results. Most children were on at least two antiepileptics. Seizures most identified were either partial (36.3%) or generalized tonic-clonic (15.9%). The dose ranged from 0.3-2 mg/kg/day (average 1+0.2 mg/kg/day). Clobazam was effective against all seizure types with complete seizure control seen in 60.2% patients. Tolerance was seen in 5 (5.6%) patients. Side effects were seen in 23 (26%) patients and were ‘mild’ in 20 (86.9%) of them. Clobazam was stopped in three patients who developed ataxia, which resolved on stopping the drug. Conclusion. Clobazam was observed to be an effective broad-spectrum antiepileptic with ‘mild’ side effects in Indian children.

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam as Adjunctive Treatment in a Multicenter Open-Label Single-Arm Trial in Korean Patients with Refractory Partial Epilepsy: Over 1-Year Follow-Up / 대한간질학회지

PURPOSE: This prospective, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjunctive levetiracetam (LEV) in Korean adults with uncontrolled partial epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 100 patients whose partial seizures were inadequately controlled on their current antiepileptic drugs were enrolled and received LEV (1000-3000 mg/day). Seizure count and adverse events (AEs) were recorded by patients. Global evaluation scale (GES) and quality of life (QOLIE-31) were also evaluated. Additionally effectiveness over 1-year follow-up was investigated. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients completed the short-term 16-week trial. The median percent reduction in weekly seizure frequency over the treatment period was 43.2%. The > or =50% and > or =75% responder rates were 45.4% and 36.1%, respectively. Seizure freedom was observed in 17 patients throughout the initial 16-week treatment period. On investigator's GES, 81 patients were considered improved, with 41 patients showing marked improvement. Most QOLIE-31 scales improved significantly. At the end of the trial, 79 chose to continue follow-up treatment with LEV. At the follow-up visit (ranging 60 to 81 weeks), 64 patients were still taking LEV; during the last 16 weeks, 65.6% of patients had > or =50% reduction, 50.0% had > or =75% reduction, and 35.9% had a 100% reduction. Seven patients showed continuous seizure freedom from the initiation of LEV treatment. During the entire treatment period, LEV was withdrawn in 36 patients; due to lack of efficacy in 22, AEs in six, both in three, other reasons in five. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive LEV therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy was effective and well-tolerated, as evidenced by the high seizure freedom and retention rates in both the short-term trial and the long-term follow-up.

Vaginal Bleeding Associated with Venlafaxine Add-On Therapy: A Case Report / 대한정신약물학회지

Venlafaxine is often considered to be safer than established antidepressants except the risk of hypertension. In terms of vaginal bleeding associated with venlafaxine, only one case has been reported. The author describes a vaginal bleeding occurred in a 38-year-old depressed patient who has been receiving additional venlafaxine during fluoxetine medication. Discontinuation of venlafaxine supported the assumption that the vaginal bleeding was an adverse drug reaction of venlafaxine. Physicians should be alerted to the possibility of bleeding tendency in patients who have taken venlafaxine.

Contral study on topiramate monotherapy and add-on therapy treating children with age dependent epileptic encephalopathy / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective Study the ideal drug to treat age depen de nt epileptic ncephalopathy (ADEE) in earlier period. Methods fi fty-four patients with ADEE were studyed.21 cases used with single topiramate(T PM) as initial treatment and 27 cases used with TPM and antiepileptic drug(AEDs ) .Results Seizure was fully controlled in 11 patients with TPM m onotherapy and in 4 patients with TPM as adjunction.The differences was signif icant(P