Effectiveness and tolerability of rufinamide in children and young adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a single center study in Korea
Rufinamide is a novel antiepileptic drug (AED), which is known to be effective in the treatment of partial seizures and drop attacks in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of rufinamide in those with LGS. Patients with LGS who had received rufinamide adjunctive therapy were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed these patient's baseline clinical characteristics, and the reduction of seizure frequency and adverse events after the use of rufinamide. Twenty-three patients (15 males and 8 females, ages 4-22 years) were enrolled in the study. All the patients suffered from daily head drops and tonic seizures despite multiple antiepileptic drugs. After one month of rufinamide, one patient (4.3%) achieved freedom from seizures, ten (43.5%) achieved a ≥50% decrease in seizure frequency. After six months of rufinamide, eight patients (34.8%) maintained a satisfactory response (seizure free in one, and greater than 50% seizure reduction in seven). Adverse events were reported in six (26.0%) patients, which were somnolence in three, aggressive behavior in two, and aggravation of seizure in one patient. Our results suggest that rufinamide is effective and safe in children and young adults with LGS.