Oral pregabalin as an add-on treatment for status epilepticus

Epilepsia. 2010 Oct;51(10):2207-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2010.02646.x.

Abstract

Oral antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) represent possible add-on options in refractory status epilepticus (SE). In this setting, pregabalin (PGB) has not been reported before. Over the last 42 months, we identified 11 SE episodes (10 patients) treated with PGB in our hospital. Its use was prompted by the favorable pharmacokinetic profile, devoid of drug-drug interactions. The patients mostly had refractory, partial SE. Only two patients were managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). We found a definite electroclinical response in 5 of 11, already evident 24 h after PGB introduction, and a possible response (concomitantly with other AEDs) in 3 of 11 of the episodes; 3/11 did not respond. The treatment was well tolerated. Partial SE appeared to better respond than generalized convulsive SE. PGB appears to be an interesting option as add-on treatment in refractory partial SE.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregabalin
  • Prospective Studies
  • Status Epilepticus / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid