Abstracts

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) approved for monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children ages 4-16 years. Current prescribing information on conversion to OXC monotherapy in patients receiving other AEDs recommends gradual titration of OXC with the dose of concominant AEDs gradually reduced over 3-6 weeks period. The purpose of this analysis is to examine safety of overnight switch from carbazepine (CBZ) to OXC as OXC is structurally related to CBZ. We report 22 pediatric patients who had an overnight switch. To date retrospective chart review was performed on 16 out of 22 patients seen at Children[apos]s Hospital of Pittsburgh with childhood epilepsy converted from CBZ to OXC overnight. Data regarding demographics, seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, EEG findings, previous AEDs used were collected and analyzed. 16 children ( 5 females and 11 male ) ages 5 years -19 years ( mean age 11.5 ), 15 with complex partial seizures of which 2 with secondary generalization, 1 with generalized seizure disorder were started on OXC 15 mg/kg/day [ndash] 47 mg/kg/day. Conversion ratio from CBZ to OXC was 1:1 in 15 (93.7%). 3 (18.7%) required discontinuation of OXC because of rash observed after 3-6 weeks of therapy. 5(31%) patients had improvement in seizure activity, 9 (56%) had no change (3 seizure free), 2 (12.5%) had worsening. During overnight transition from CBZ to OXC no increase in the central nervous system side effects had been observed in our series. Increased incidence of rash was documented. We are reporting this data to promote awareness of a potential problem. The results of all 22 patients identified will be discussed. More data are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.

Albani F. Grassi B. Ferrara R. Turrini R. Baruzzi A. PRIMO Study Group. Immediate (overnight) switching from carbamazepine to oxcarbazepine monotherapy is equivalent to a progressive switch. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial] [italic]Seizure. 13(4):254-63, 2004 Jun.[/italic]