Ezogabine: An Evaluation of Its Efficacy and Safety as Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures in Adults

Abstract

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic properties, and clinical application of ezogabine (retigabine, INN), an antiepileptic drug approved in 2011. Published data from in vitro, animal, and clinical studies were obtained from PubMed and CINAHL searches, from January 1980 to March 31, 2012. Other relevant data regarding the safety and efficacy of ezogabine were obtained from the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medication Agency Web sites. Selected articles were prospective in vitro, animal, and controlled clinical studies of ezogabine. Non-English-language articles were excluded. In vitro and animal studies show that ezogabine activates voltagegated potassium channels, leading to reduction of seizure frequency by inhibiting hyperexcitability activity in the central nervous system. Additionally, ezogabine enhances γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity and de novo GABA synthesis. Eight clinical studies of ezogabine have been published, 5 being Phase 1 clinical trials in healthy subjects and 3 being Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with pharmaco-resistant partial-onset seizures. Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ezogabine in patients with partial-onset seizures. Clinical trials have shown that ezogabine is efficacious as an adjunctive agent in patients with pharmacoresistant partial seizures. Careful monitoring of drug interactions and adverse reactions is necessary. While ezogabine is efficacious for partial seizures, its precise role in the management of patients with epilepsy is yet to be determined.