Relación entre las variantes genéticas UGT y HLA y eventos adversos asociados al uso de lamotrigina. Revisión sistemática

Introducción: La lamotrigina (LTG) es un fármaco antiepiléptico aromático, en los humanos se usa principalmente en el campo de la neurología y psiquiatría. Existen eventos adversos (EA), secundarios al uso de anticonvulsivantes, por ejemplo, la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica (NET), y el síndrome de Steven Johnson (SSJ), su incidencia está estimada en 1 de 1000 a 10000 exposiciones con una mortalidad mayor al 35 %. Objetivo: Describir la relación entre la presentación de eventos adversos y los polimorfismos de la UGT y HLA en pacientes que usaron lamotrigina. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, incluyendo una búsqueda en las bases de datos, con estudios del tipo ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados y estudios observacionales de cohortes, casos y controles. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial encontró un total de 96 artículos, de los cuales luego de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión quedaron 8. Conclusiones: Al momento del desarrollo de este estudio, no hay suficiente evidencia que relacione como factor de causalidad las variantes de las HLA y UGT con la predicción de los eventos adversos (EA), con el uso de lamotrigina. Además, es importante decir que en Colombia no tenemos estudios, y que no conocemos estas variantes genéticas por lo tanto la extrapolación no se puede realizar, llevando a recomendar que se deben hacer estudios en población colombiana con las variantes planteadas como posibles relacionadas con los EA a lamotrigina.

Introduction: Lamotrigine (LTG) is an aromatic antiepileptic drug, mainly used in humans in the field of neurology and psychiatry. There are secondary adverse events (AEs) related to the use of anticonvulsants, for example, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Steven Johnson syndrome (SJS). Their incidence is estimated at 1 in 1,000 to 10,000 exposures with a mortality greater than 35%. Objective: To describe the relationship between the presentation of adverse events and UGT and HLA polymorphisms in patients who used lamotrigine. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was carried out, including a database search, with studies such as randomized controlled clinical trials and observational cohort and case-control studies. Results: The initial search found a total of 96 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 8 were considered. Conclusions: At the time of the development of this study, there was not enough evidence to relate HLA and UGT variants as a causal factor to predict adverse events (AEs) due to the use of lamotrigine. Furthermore, it is important to say that in Colombia there are no studies, and that we do not know these genetic variants, therefore it is not possible to extrapolate it. Thus the recommendation is that studies should be carried out in the Colombian population using variants proposed as possibly relating AEs. to lamotrigine.

Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Lamotrigine Using PK-Sim in Predicting the Impact of Drug Interactions and Dosage Adjustment

Objectives To build a lamotrigine (LTG) physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model (LTG PBPK) and compare it to the clinical data from South Asian Indian patients and use this model to understand the drug interactions of LTG and explore the optimal doses. Methods and Material The PBPK model was developed using the PK-Sim software platform and qualified with LTG plasma concentration data from an Indian study. The European population database was chosen as the patient setting in the software. Physiochemical data of LTG and enzyme kinetic data were incorporated from the literature. Dosing protocols were as per the previous study. Interaction models for drug interactions with carbamazepine and valproate were also simulated. Results Most of the model predicted concentration-time profiles of LTG at steady-state were well within the observed concentrations. The developed models were suitably qualified. The drug interaction model was used to assess the impact of induction and inhibition of the pharmacokinetic profile of LTG. Conclusions The predicted plasma concentrations of the developed PBPK models using the European population database were very similar to the data from Indian patients. The developed LTG PBPK models are applicable in predicting the impact of drug interactions and can yield appropriate LTG doses to be administered.

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.

A Retrospective Study on the Low Dose Lamotrigine of Skin Disorders / 医薬品情報学

Objective: In this study, we investigated the occurrence of skin damage following the initiation of low-dose lamotrigine.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of skin disorders within 8 weeks of the start of lamotrigine administration, prescribing for 3 years from July 2014 to June 2016.In addition, we also confirmed the onset time of skin disorders in the low- and normal-dose groups.Results: The incidence of skin damage was 7.7 and 24.6 % in the low- and normal-dose lamotrigine start groups, respectively. The onset of skin disorders was relatively early in the normal-dose lamotrigine start group.On the other hand, no tendency was found in the low-dose lamotrigine start group because the number of cases was small.Conclusion: The initiation of low-dose lamotrigine and extension of introduction period might reduce the onset of early skin damage.

A description of sodium valproate, lamotrigine and levetiracetam consumption in the Western Cape public sector

The rational use of medicine is fundamental to ensure effective and safe patient medicine treatment, and hence, should be monitored. Undisputable evidence exists for the teratogenic risk factors associated with sodium valproate. Consequently, the Western Cape Department of Health introduced a policy (2019) recommending alternatives for valproate in women of childbearing age, including lamotrigine or levetiracetam as alternatives for patients on antiretrovirals. This study aimed to describe the change in the consumption of valproate, lamotrigine and levetiracetam after a policy implementation in public sector health facilities of the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: This observational study followed a quasi-experimental design. Consumption data from the Cape Medical Depot over the period 01 April 2018 to 31 March 2020 were analysed retrospectively. Consumption was presented as a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 population per quarter for sodium valproate, levetiracetam and lamotrigine for the Western Cape province, urban and rural areas. Consumption 12 months before was compared with consumption 12 months after policy implementation. Results: Post-policy implementation, valproate consumption remained unchanged provincially (3.3%; p = 0.255), in urban (7.8%; p = 0.255) and rural (1.5%; p = 0.701) areas. Lamotrigine consumption increased significantly provincially (30.7%; p = 0.020) and in urban areas (54.5%; p = 0.002); however, rural (26.1%; p = 0.108) areas did not show significant change. Provincially, valproate consumption remained substantially higher (209 DDDs/1000 population per quarter) compared with lamotrigine consumption (32.22 DDDs/1000 population per quarter). Conclusion: In the Western Cape public sector, the consumption of sodium valproate remained unchanged 12 months after policy implementation. Although there were significant increases in lamotrigine and levetiracetam consumption, the consumption was considerably less compared with sodium valproate consumption.

Necrólisis epidérmica tóxica en una adolescente diagnosticada de trastorno bipolar II y tratada con lamotrigina / Toxic epidermal necrolysis in an adolescent with Bipolar Disorder II and treated with Lamotrigine

Resumen La necrólisis epidérmica tóxica es una enfermedad cutánea severa, la mayoría de las veces desencadenada como reacción adversa a medicamentos, con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. La lamotrigina, junto a otros medicamentos estabilizadores del ánimo, constituye la causa medicamentosa más frecuente de esta complicación, consistente en necrosis y esfacelo de la epidermis y mucosas en más del 30 % de la superficie corporal, con la consecuente pérdida de líquidos y electrolitos, respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, susceptibilidad a infecciones y hasta sepsis, además de posibles secuelas ominosas. En la actualidad, el diagnóstico de trastorno bipolar se hace con mayor frecuencia, incluyendo al grupo etario de niños y adolescentes, pero tal proceso diagnóstico se caracteriza por dificultades y controversias en mayor cuantía que otros diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Ello obliga a una meticulosa elucubración diagnóstica y selección farmacológica, con pleno conocimiento de las moléculas del arsenal medicamentoso para, en caso de prescripción de lamotrigina, establecer una escrupulosa psicoeducación al paciente y sus familiares además de un seguimiento estricto y cercano. A propósito del caso de una adolescente diagnosticada de trastorno bipolar II, que recibió lamotrigina durante un episodio depresivo pero con un esquema posológico inadecuado, y desarrolló necrólisis epidérmica tóxica, revisamos y comentamos la literatura correspondiente. Concluimos en que es preciso extremar las precauciones al decidir el uso de lamotrigina para minimizar el riesgo de este severo efecto adverso.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a severe skin disease, most often triggered as an adverse drug reaction, with high morbidity and mortality. Lamotrigine, together with other mood stabilizer drugs, constitutes the most frequent drug that causes this complication, which consists of necrosis and detachment of the epidermis and mucosa in more than 30% of the body surface, with the consequent loss of water and electrolytes, systemic inflammatory response, susceptibility to infections and even sepsis, in addition to other possible ominous sequelae. Currently, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made more frequently, including the age group of children and adolescents, but such a diagnostic process is characterized by difficulties and controversies to a greater extent than other psychiatric diagnoses. This requires meticulous diagnostic process and pharmacological selection, with full knowledge of the molecules in the drug arsenal so, in case of lamotrigine prescription, it should be established scrupulous psychoeducation to the patient and their family members, as well as strict and close follow-up. A propos of the case of an adolescent girl diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, who received lamotrigine during a depressive episode but with an inappropriate posology, and developed toxic epidermal necrolysis, we reviewed and commented on the corresponding literature. We conclude that extreme caution is necessary when deciding the use of lamotrigine to minimize the risk of this severe adverse effect.

Lamotrigine-induced drug eruptions / 中华皮肤科杂志

Lamotrigine is a new type of drug for the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar affective disorder and neuralgia. Drug eruptions are the common adverse reaction to lamotrigine, such as fixed drug eruption, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, etc. The pathogenesis of lamotrigine-induced drug eruptions includes immune and non-immune mechanisms. HLA alleles are related to drug eruptions caused by lamotrigine, and their relationship varies with the race of populations and type of drug eruptions. This review summarizes the etiology, pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of drug eruptions caused by lamotrigine, aiming to guide clinical treatment.

Progress of treatment-related hemophagocytic syndrome / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare, life-threatening inflammatory response syndrome characterized by overactivation of the immune system, which leads to organ damage. Secondary HPS is usually triggered by infection, tumor and autoimmune disease. It has been clinically found that many HPS-like manifestations also occur during drug therapy. This article reviews the related progress of HPS induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors, ibrutinib and lamotrigine, in order to provide a guidance for clinical practice.

Formulation And Evaluation Of Orodispersible Tablets Of Lamotrigineusing Discrete Super Disintegrants And Coprocessed Excipients

Objective: The present study was designed to formulate and evaluate the orodispersible tablets of lamotrigine after enhancing its solubility. Methods: Lamotrigine was made into an inclusion complex with eudragit E 100 my kneading and mass extrusion method and later this mixture is compressed into orodispersible tablet using various super disintegrants and co-processed excipients to reduce the disintegration time for providing prompt action through rapid drug release. Results: Lamotrigine ODTs containing F-melt (F1-3%, F2-5%) dispersed in lesser time of (9±0.11) and (21±0.58) compared to formulations with polyplasdone XL-10 and primellose as super disintegrants respectively with F1 showing short wetting time. The water absorption was also was found to be more for formulation with 3% F-Melt. Conclusion: Lamotrigine orodispersible tablets were prepared by direct compression technique by using 3% and 5% of three super disintegrants (f-melt, primellose and polyplasdone XL-10). Disintegration time of F1 (3% f-melt) formulation was found to be least (7 sec).

Development And Evaluation Of Novel Bionanoparticles Loaded With Nanosized Lamotrigine By Using The Novel Isolated Biopolymer From Phaseolus Vulgaris Seeds

The aim of this research was to isolate and characterize the novel biopolymer from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds and to formulate lamotrigine loaded bionanoparticles using this biomaterial. The biopolymer was isolated by simplified and economical process and analysed for different physico-chemical and spectral properties. The nanosizing of lamotrigine was done by bath sonication method and its particle size in nano-range was screened by UV method. The bionanosuspension loaded with nanosized lamotrigine was prepared by bath sonication for 15 cycles (1cycle equal to 3 minutes). The formulated bionanosuspension loaded with lamotrigine using biopolymer was compared with lamotrigine loaded bionanosuspension by using HPMC. The bionanosuspension was subjected for pH study, dispersibility study, % entrapment efficiency, nanosizing screening, particle size study and in vitro study for drug release and stability study of formulated bionanosuspension. The best formulation LPVu7 showed up to 90.36 ±0.9% drug release in 36 hours. having t 50% of 17 hours and t80% of 29 hours with r2 value of 0.9927 as compared to release from LSP5 with 92.43±0.68% having t 50% of 16 hours and t80% of 28 hours with r2 value of 0.9951 in 36 hours. The results reveal that isolated biopolymer may be used as an alternative to synthetic polymer because of its novel inbuilt bioretardant cum biostabilizing properties. The formulated bionanosuspension are feasible for delivering the nanosized lamotrigine in sustained manner for prolonged time for long term treatment of epilepsy.

Anticonvulsant activity of nicardipine in experimentally induced seizures in wistar albino rats.

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of nicardipine in wistar albino rats.Methods: Anticonvulsant activity of nicardipine in a dose 10 mg/kg, and its effect with the standard drug lamotrigine (5 mg/kg) was studied in a maximal electroshock seizures (MES) experimental animal model.Results: Nicardipine in dose of 10 mg/kg showed significant anticonvulsant effect (p<0.001) and combination with standard drug lamotrigine (p<0.001) also showed more significant anticonvulsant effect in MES model.Conclusions: Nicardipine is having anticonvulsant activity and it also potentiates the anticonvulsant effect of lamotrigine in MES model.

Determination of Lamotrigine, Olanzapine and Quetiapine in Human Plasma by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Its Application in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a highly sensitive and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of the concentrations of lamotrigine, olanzapine and quetiapine in human plasma to provide guidance for clinical drug use. METHODS: The plasma samples were precipitated by methanol, voriconazole was used as internal standard, and then gradiently eluted by ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7 μm) using mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid solution and methanol. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was conducted in ion detection mode using positive electrospray ionization source. RESULTS: The linear ranges of the calibration curves for lamotrigine, olanzapine and quetiapine in human plasma were 0.5-20 μg•mL-1, 2-200 and 10-1 000 ng•mL-1, respectively. The method had good matrix effect, extraction recovery, accuracy, precision and stability, and was successfully applied to analyze plasma samples of 45 patients. CONCLUSION: The UPLC-MS/MS method for determination of lamotrigine, olanzapine and quetiapine is proven to be a sensitive and reliable protocol for clinical therapeutic drug monitoring.

Effects of Lamotrigine on Problem-Solving Abilities in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Patients with Epilepsy

Evaluation and Optimization of the Dosage Regimens of Lamotrigine for Epileptic Children Based on Monte Carlo Simulation / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and optimize the dosage regimens of lamotrigine for epileptic children with the utilization of Monte Carlo simulation based on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principle of antiepileptic drugs. METHODS: Population pharmacokinetic data of lamotrigine for epileptic children in China was obtained from the published literatures. Ten thousand times Monte Carlo simulation were performed for 25 dosing regimens for epileptic children aged 2 to 12 years and 33 dosing regimens for post-12-year-old epileptic children to obtain the steady-state concentration (css) and the probability of target attainment (PTA). Based on this, the rationality of the dosing regimens were evaluated and the optimal dosing regimen was screened. RESULTS: Within the recommended dosage range of lamotrigine for epileptic children aged 2 to 12 years, six of the nine pre-established maintenance-phase regimens were found that the PTA that lamotrigine plateau concentrations distributed in therapeutic window ranged from 80.54% to 90.69%, meanwhile the PTA that plateau concentrations distributed over the therapeutic window ranged from 0.41% to 12.50%, and the predicted mean of css ranged from 4.62 to 9.28 mg•L-1, so each was the optimization regimen. Among the 15 dosage regimens of lamotrigine for epileptic children over 12 years old, eleven of fifteen pre-established maintenance-phase regimens were found that the PTA that lamotrigine plateau concentrations distributed in therapeutic window ranged from 91.51% to 100.00%, the PTA that plateau concentrations distributed over the therapeutic window ranged from 0.00% to 8.49%, and the predicted mean of css ranged from 6.21 to 12.44 mg•L-1, so each was the optimization regimen. Interestingly, five off-label regimens of lamotrigine (12.5, 25, 37.5 mg, bid and 25, 50 mg, qd) in combination with valproic acid were found that the PTA that lamotrigine plateau concentrations distributed in therapeutic window was 100.00%, and the predicted mean of css ranged from 3.84 to 11.51 mg•L-1, which were superior to the recommended dosage (100-200 mg•d-1), indicating use with caution could be acceptable. CONCLUSION: In most cases, lamotrigine can be given according to drug instructions to obtain satisfactory therapeutic effect. However, some of off-label drug of use have certain rationality and necessity.

Reporte de un caso clínico de Síndrome de Stevens Johnson por uso de Lamotrigina / Report of a clinical case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome due to the use of Lamotrigine

El Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson (SJS) es una urgencia dermatológica rara pero potencialmente fatal que se diferencia de le necrólisis epidérmica tóxica en el porcentaje de desprendimiento de piel y que amerita tratamiento agresivo que incluya retiro de la medicación que provoca el síndrome, manejo de heridas, líquidos de reanimación, uso de inmunoglobulina y soporte nutricional temprano para impactar en el desenlace final. Entre los factores que se han correlacionado con un peor pronóstico se hallan la edad del paciente, alteraciones hematológicas como trombocitopenia, neutropenia y linfopenia, además de la alteración de la función renal. El caso que reportamos es el de un paciente masculino de 6 años con antecedentes de Trastorno del espectro autista y epilepsia manejado con ácido valpróico que ameritó cambio a lamotrigina por no conseguir el medicamento. El paciente desarrolló una faringoamigdalitis que se manejó con trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol y 4 días después de haber finalizado el antibiótico y 12 días después de haber iniciado la lamotrigina desarrolló el SJS; fue manejado en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos con hidratación, uso de inmunoglobulina, antibióticos y curación de heridas con evolución favorable permitiendo egreso luego de 19 días

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but potentially fatal dermatological emergency that differs from toxic epidermal necrolysis in the percentage of skin detachment and that merits aggressive treatment that includes withdrawal of the medication that causes the syndrome, management of wounds, resuscitation fluids, use of immunoglobulin and early nutritional support to impact the final outcome. Among the factors that have been correlated with a worse prognosis are the patient's age, haematological alterations such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and lymphopenia, as well as impaired renal function. The case we report is a 6-year-old male child with a history of Autism Spectrum Disorder and epilepsy managed with valproic acid that warranted a change to lamotrigine for not getting the medication. The patient developed a pharyngotonsillitis that was managed with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 4 days after the antibiotic was finished and 12 days after starting lamotrigine he developed SJS; he was managed in pediatric intensive care unit with hydration, use of immunoglobulin, antibiotics and wound healing with favorable evolution allowing discharge after 19 days

Qualidade de vida e eventos adversos de pacientes com epilepsia farmacorresistente em uso de lamotrigina / Quality of life and adverse events of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy using lamotrigine

Modelo do estudo: Estudo transversal. Introdução: O tratamento farmacológico é a primeira opção para o tratamento da epilepsia, e cerca de 40% dos pacientes necessitam de politerapia para melhor controle das crises epilépticas, o que pode estar associado ao aumento de eventos adversos e comprometimento da qualidade de vida. Objetivos: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com epilepsia farmacoresistente em uso de lamotrigina (LTG), bem como verificar a associação dos eventos adversos dos antiepilépticos com a qualidade de vida. Metodologia: Este estudo transversal foi realizado com 75 pacientes com epilepsia farmacorresistente em uso LTG atendidos em um Ambulatório de Epilepsia de Difícil Controle de Ribeirão Preto-SP, no período de maio/2011 a abril/2012. As variáveis clínicas analisadas foram a qualidade de vida (Quality of Life in Epilepsy - Qolie-31) e o perfil de eventos adversos (AEP ­ Adverse Events Profile Questionnaire). Dados sociodemográficos e farmacoterapêuticos foram coletados através dos prontuários dos pacientes. Este trabalho foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP), cujo número do processo é 8791/2010. Resultados: Os eventos adversos mais frequentes foram sonolência e dificuldade de concentração. Além disso, observou-se baixos escores em todos os domínios relacionados à qualidade de vida (Qolie-31). Conclusão: A qualidade de vida possui associação inversamente significativa com os eventos adversos, nos pacientes em uso de antiepilépticos (p<0,01). (AU)

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Introduction: Pharmacological treatment is the first option to treat epilepsy, and about 40% of patients require polytherapy to better control epileptic seizures, which may be associated with an increase in adverse events and impairment of quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy using lamotrigine (LTG), as well as to verify the association of adverse events with antiepileptic drugs with quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 75 patients with drugresistant epilepsy using LTG, in a Clinic of Epilepsy of Difficult Control of Ribeirão Preto-SP, from May/2011 to April / 2012. The clinical variables analyzed were Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE31) and the Adverse Events Profile Questionnaire (AEP). Socio-demographic and pharmacotherapeutic data were collected through patient records. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP), whose case number is 8791/2010. Results: The most frequent adverse events were somnolence and difficulty concentrating. In addition, low scores were observed in all domains related to quality of life (Qolie-31). Conclusion: Quality of life has an inverse association with adverse events in patients using antiepileptic drugs (p <0.01). (AU)

Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs on Language Abilities in Benign Epilepsy of Childhood with Centrotemporal Spikes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study is to assess the responsiveness of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities and their effects on language ability after initiating different types of antiepileptic therapy in children with newly diagnosed benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS). METHODS: The records of patients newly diagnosed with BECTS (n=120; 69 males) were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were randomly treated with lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate monotherapy, and underwent at least two EEG and standardized language tests. Effects were compared using Pearson’s chi-square tests and paired t-tests. RESULTS: The recurrence rates for seizures in the lamotrigine, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine groups were 19.4%, 21.7%, and 11.4%, respectively, while complete or partial recovery (as indicated by EEG) occurred in 32%, 39%, and 16% of the patients. Patients in the lamotrigine group showed significant improvements in all parameters assessed by the Test of Language Problem Solving Abilities, except for ‘determining cause.’ Patients in the oxcarbazepine group also showed improvements, except for ‘making inferences’ (p < 0.05). Most linguistic index scores were worse in the topiramate group except for Mean Length of Utterance in Words. Patients in the lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine groups showed significant improvements in the receptive language test (p < 0.05). EEG improvements were not related to language ability. CONCLUSIONS: The improvements in language and problem-solving performance in children with BECTS were greater for lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine than for topiramate. However, EEG remission did not imply that language function would be improved after the treatments.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2018 : Safety and Tolerability / 우울ㆍ조울병

OBJECTIVES: Treatment for bipolar disorder is often complicated by various clinical situations. We undertook a survey of expert opinions to facilitate clinical decisions in special situations such as weight gain, metabolic syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, genetic counseling, and treatment adherence.METHODS: A written survey that asked treatment strategies related to safety and tolerability, was prepared focused on weight gain, antipsychotic related hyperprolactinemia, lamotrigine related skin rash, treatment non-adherence and genetic counseling. Sixty-one experts of the review committee completed the survey.RESULTS: In the case of weight gain related to medications, experts preferred exercise and education for diet-control. First chosen medications were lamotrigine, aripiprazole and ziprasidone. Recommendations based on expert survey results for treatment of bipolar patients in other special situations are outlined.CONCLUSION: With limitation of expert opinions, authors hope that results of this study provide valuable information to make clinical decisions about treatment of bipolar disorder in complicated situations.

Influence of the clinical profile of patients with refractory epilepsy on lamotrigine plasma concentration

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influence of the clinical profile on lamotrigine (LTG) plasma concentrations from patients with refractory epileptic seizures. In this cross-sectional study, therapeutic monitoring of LTG, and questionnaires with 75 patients with refractory epileptic seizures of a Hospital in Ribeirão Preto-SP-Brazil were performed. The multiple linear regression model was used to verify association between the LTG plasma concentrations and the independent variables. Covariance analysis was used to compare the mean LTG plasma concentration among the co-medication groups. The LTG plasma concentration was associated both with the LTG dosage (mg/kg/day) (p=0.0096) and with the use of first generation antiepileptic drugs (AED) (p<0.01), being carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT), the AEDs showing the most prominent influence in reducing LTG plasma concentrations. Adverse events, adherence to the pharmacological treatment, and epileptic seizures frequency, did not show significant correlation with LTG plasma concentration values. The conclusion is that LTG plasma concentration is significantly influenced by the LTG dosage and by the concomitant use of a first generation AED.

Lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, inhibits 5-HT₃ receptor currents in NCB-20 neuroblastoma cells

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug widely used to treat epileptic seizures. Using whole-cell voltage clamp recordings in combination with a fast drug application approach, we investigated the effects of lamotrigine on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)₃ receptors in NCB-20 neuroblastoma cells. Co-application of lamotrigine (1~300 µM) resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in peak amplitude of currents induced by 3 µM of 5-HT for an IC₅₀ value of 28.2±3.6 µM with a Hill coefficient of 1.2±0.1. These peak amplitude decreases were accompanied by the rise slope reduction. In addition, 5-HT₃-mediated currents evoked by 1 mM dopamine, a partial 5-HT₃ receptor agonist, were inhibited by lamotrigine co-application. The EC₅₀ of 5-HT for 5-HT₃ receptor currents were shifted to the right by co-application of lamotrigine without a significant change of maximal effect. Currents activated by 5-HT and lamotrigine co-application in the presence of 1 min pretreatment of lamotrigine were similar to those activated by 5-HT and lamotrigine co-application alone. Moreover, subsequent application of lamotrigine in the presence of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindole, known to attenuate 5-HT₃ receptor desensitization, inhibited 5-HT₃ receptor currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The deactivation of 5-HT₃ receptor was delayed by washing with an external solution containing lamotrigine. Lamotrigine accelerated the desensitization process of 5-HT₃ receptors. There was no voltage-dependency in the inhibitory effects of lamotrigine on the 5-HT3 receptor currents. These results indicate that lamotrigine inhibits 5-HT₃-activated currents in a competitive manner by binding to the open state of the channels and blocking channel activation or accelerating receptor desensitization.