Topiramate for the treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

ABSTRACT - O b j e c t i v e : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate ( T P M )in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). M e t h o d : We assessed seizure control and adverse effects of TPM in22 patients (18 females) aged 13 to 53 years. Ta rget TPM dosage was up to 200 mg/day. The patients weresubdivided into 3 groups: those treated with seizure control plus side effects (n=4); treated with non-con-t rolled seizures (n=15) and with JME newly diagnosed (n=3). Results: Sixteen patients completed the firstyear of the follow-up. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were completely controlled in 10 (62.5%); more t h a n50% of reduction in 4 (25.0%) and less than 50% in 2 (12.5%). Myoclonia were controlled in 11 (68.8%) a n dpersisted in 5 (31.2%) patients. Absence seizures were present in 5 (22.7%) of whom 2 (9.0%) showed morethan 50% of seizure reduction while 3 (13.6%) presented worsening. Discontinuations were due to inad-equate seizure control and adverse events (N=4), low compliance and loss of follow-up (N=2) and subjectchoice (N=1).