Antiepileptic drug treatment in the developmentally disabled: treatment considerations with the newer antiepileptic drugs

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common comorbidity among developmentally disabled (DD) patients, and special considerations apply to its treatment. In particular, clinicians should try to avoid antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with sedating properties or adverse cognitive effects that might further diminish quality of life for DD patients. Behavioral changes due to medication and significant pharmacokinetic interactions with other medications are also concerns. The newer AEDs, approved in the 1990s, offer new options for the treatment of individuals with developmental disability and epilepsy. Gabapentin does not interact with the hepatic metabolism of other AEDs or psychotropic agents, results in a statistically significant reduction in seizure frequency in mentally retarded children, and is generally well tolerated. Felbamate is an effective broad-spectrum AED, but has serious toxicity issues limiting its use. Lamotrigine has been extensively studied in the DD population, achieving seizure reduction rates of up to 50% in some trials. Although it is usually well tolerated in this population, its pharmacokinetic profile is influenced by concomitant medications. Levetiracetam has been found to be effective against kindled seizures and has been approved as adjunctive therapy for partial epilepsies. It does not cause any pharmacokinetic interactions, but may have behavioral side effects. Oxcarbazepine is a homologue of carbamazepine that has fewer drug interactions. It is approved for mono- or adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures, and its use in DD individuals appears to be worthwhile. Tiagabine is extensively bound to plasma proteins and is therefore subject to protein-binding displacement interactions by other highly protein-bound drugs, such as sodium valproate. While there are trial data showing its efficacy as adjunctive therapy in partial epilepsy in adults and children, there is a paucity of data specific to the DD population. Common side effects include sedation. Topiramate is a broad-spectrum AED approved as adjunctive therapy for partial and primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures. It appears to be particularly effective in patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and those with cognitive disabilities. It appears to be better tolerated in the DD population than in the general population. Zonisamide has been effective in the DD population, yielding a seizure reduction of 50% in 41% of children in 1 trial. It has been associated with renal stone formation, sedation, and cognitive effects, however. The new AEDs have a role in treating seizures in the DD. Side effects that limit their use include anorexia, behavioral changes, and sedation. Seizure exacerbation can occur with the new AEDs and success is defined empirically and by improvements in quality of life.