Oxcarbazepine as Add-On Therapy in Thai Epileptic Patients with Refractory Partial Seizures
Petisara Kraiprab BSc, MSc*, Yotin Chinvarun MD, PhD**, Mayuree H Tantisira BSc, PhD*
Affiliation : *Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok10330, Thailand **Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Objectives : To evaluate efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine (OXC) as add-on therapy in Thai refractory epi-
leptic patients.
Materials and Methods : A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in outpatients of the Epilepsy
Clinic of Phramongkutklao Hospital. OXC in the doses of 600 or 1200 mg/d were added to 39 refractory
epileptic patients with the median baseline seizure frequency of at least 2 per 28 days.
Results : Of 35 patients who completed the 98-day treatment period, 4 became seizure free. A reduction in
median seizure frequency of 47% and 58% was observed in patients in the 600 and 1,200 mg OXC/d groups,
respectively. Among them, 44% and 53% demonstrated ≥ 50% reduction in median seizure frequency. About
85% of patients in each group reported one or more mild to moderate adverse events.
Conclusion : OXC in the doses of 600 and 1200 mg/d appear to be safe and effective as adjunctive therapy in
Thai refractory epileptic patients. Further studies are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and tolerability.
Keywords : Partial seizure, Oxcarbazepine, Antiepileptic drug, Add-on therapy
