Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, sa.150, ss.155-156, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Objectives
Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum and highly effective anti-seizure drug that has been used for many years. Because of the drug’s documented teratogenic risk, it’s now contraindicated in women of reproductive potential. We aimed to analyze the EEG features and seizure frequencies of women who had VPA monotherapy switched to levetiracetam or lamotrigine.Content
Methods: The patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy who were followed at the epilepsy clinic between January 2014 and December 2022 were studied retrospectively. Thirty-five patients were identified. We evaluated the demographic features, seizure frequencies and EEG features (e.g., photosensitivity, hyperventilation sensitivity), and side effects during and after VPA treatment. Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.1 (12–46). VPA was shifted to levetiracetam in 22 patients (62.9%) and lamotrigine in 13 patients. During VPA treatment, 23 patients (65.7%) were seizure-free. Seizures relapsed in 3/23, while seizure freedom remained in the rest (20/23). The seizure frequency increased in two patients, however, decreased in four patients. Seizure frequency remained unchanged in six patients. Twenty-three patients were seizure-free after the treatment shift. Photosensitivity disappeared in 7 cases, while hyperventilation sensitivity disappeared in 10 patients. During VPA treatment, 13 patients had drug side effects. However, only two patients complained about the treatment's side effects with levetiracetam. Conclusion: The rate of seizure freedom didn’t differ between VPA and other treatments. Treatment side effects were identified less commonly following the treatment change. Photosensitivity and hyperventilation sensitivity seemed to be reduced with the treatment shift.Keywords
Valproic acid; Levetiracetam; Lamotrigine; Switching; Women with epilepsy.