ABSTRACT

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and side effects of lamotrigine (LTG) on seizures.

Methods:

Epilepsy outpatient clinic records for 416 patients who had been monitored for at least 6 months were studied retrospectively. Age, sex, seizure type, number of seizures, additional drugs used in treatment, duration of treatment, and drug side effects were analyzed.

Results:

Of the 416 patients, 244 (58.7%) were female, and 162 were male (41.3%). Mean age was 33.2±10.7. Monthly seizure rates were reduced 67.3% with LTG treatment, and 328 patients (78.8%) were still receiving treatment, while 88 (21.2%) had stopped usage due to side effects or for other reasons. Of these side effects, dizziness (5.5%) and rash (4.3%) were the most common. Pregnancy occurred in 18 patients on LTG treatment, and no malformation was detected at birth.

Conclusion:

In refractory epileptic patients, LTG has a high activity level and an acceptable side effect profile.