LACOSAMIDE AS AN ADD-ON THERAPY FOR DRUG-RESISTANT EPILEPSY: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Background: Epilepsy is a common and chronic neurological disorder. The prevalence of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is reported as 25-30% among epileptic patients. So, there is a need of drugs for resistant epilepsy. Objective: To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of Lacosamide (LCM) as an add-on therapy in patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in our patient population. Methods and Material: A total of 43 patients with Drug Resistant Epilepsy were screened, and 32 were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and Lacosamide was added as an add-on therapy, and the patients were prospectively followed up for a minimum 3 months. Out of 32 patients, 25 had focal and the remaining 7 were having generalized epilepsy. The Lacosamide dosage used was between 4 – 12mg/kg/day. Seizure frequency, adverse effects, and tolerability were noted in the study participants. Results: Two patients lost follow-up. Hence 30 patients were taken for intension to treat analysis. Out of 30 patients with DRE, 11(36.6%), 25(83.3%) had seizure reduction of more than 90%, 50% respectively. None of the patients developed significant adverse effects so as to warrant discontinuation of the drug. Conclusion: Lacosamide was found to have been better tolerated and was effective in reducing seizure frequency of more than 50% in patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy of both focal and generalized epilepsy in our patient population.