Abstract
The inappropriate use of carbamazepine (CBZ) in 8 children, and vigabatrin (VGB) in 2, among 18 consecutive referrals of children with resistant typical absence seizures, is reported from St Thomas’ and Guy’s Hospitals, London, UK.
Highlights
Typical absence epilepsy was confirmed by EEG, video-EEG, or both
Patients with absence seizures who fail to respond to sodium valproate or ethosuximide should be treated with either lamotrigine, acetazolamide, or clonazepam
The carbamazepine exacerbation of absence seizures has been known since 1974 (Cereghino et al), this report from London and that from Switzerland suggest that clinicians are not sufficiently aware of the hazards of inappropriate use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
Summary
The literature on cognitive and behavioral impairments in children treated for epilepsy with various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is reviewed from the Children's Hospital, Boston, MA. The inappropriate use of carbamazepine (CBZ) in 8 children, and vigabatrin (VGB) in 2, among 18 consecutive referrals of children with resistant typical absence seizures, is reported from St Thomas' and Guy's Hospitals, London, UK. Typical absence epilepsy was confirmed by EEG, video-EEG, or both. Subsequent control of seizures was obtained with valproate, lamotrigine, or ethosuximide.
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