[Efficacy and tolerability of long term topiramate in drug resistant epilepsy in adults].

OBJECTIVE

With the objective of evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate (TPM) in resistant epilepsy, we did a retrospective, open, multicentric analysis of 56 patients aged over 15 years in whom TPM was given as the second, third or fourth drug. All patients had already been on treatment for at least 18 months when topiramate was started. The average follow up was 27.2 months.

RESULTS

At the close of the study 16% of the patients were asymptomatic, 23% had a 75% reduction in seizures and 36% a 50% reduction. The drug was withdrawn in 25% of the cases. The adverse effects noted were: nephrolithiasis, asthenia, loss of hair, diarrhoea, weight loss of over 5kg., agitation, aggressiveness, language disorders, ataxia, tremor, somnolence and confusion. The drug had to be suspended when these adverse effects affected the central nervous system moderately or severely, and when there were general effects such as renal calculi in one case and weight loss associated with symptoms which worried the patients in two cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, TPM is an effective drug in refractory epilepsy and most patients continue on this treatment. The side effects are typical of the drug, and although there is no risk to life, the patient should be warned of them.