Comparing the efficacy of lacosamide(LCM) and levetiracetam (LEV)monotherapy in children with focal epilepsy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy, tolerability and safety of two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), LEV and LCM in children with focal epilepsy. The studied group consisted of 55 children, 30 boys and 25 girls, aged between 10 to 17 years, with different types of focal epilepsy. The present study was carried out for two years and our study group was divided into two subgroups one treated with LEV in dose of 2000mg per day (29 patients), the other with LCM in dose of 200mg per day (26 patients). Dosages were stable during a whole period of study. The focal epilepsy seizures prevalence (ILAE, 2017) was: 33 patients with motor onset seizures with impaired awareness, 14 patients with focal onset non-motor seizures with impaired awareness, 8 patients with focal onset seizures with preserved awareness and motor onset. Effect of AEDs was estimated with statistical methods. Mean number of seizures decreased significantly after two years in children treated with both AEDs. For patients treated with LCM it was 34% of patients with no seizures during treatment and 42% of patients with 50% reduction of seizure frequency. For patients treated with LEV it was 13% of patients with no seizures during treatment and 41% of patients with 50% reduction of seizure frequency. Assesing the safety of both drugs, we observed psychiatric side-effects (depression and aggressiveness) in 3 patients treated with levetiracetam. Our study suggests that LCM therapy in focal seizures is more effective and safe than LEV therapy.