Sulthiame in refractory paediatric epilepsies: an experience of an 'old' antiepileptic drug in a tertiary paediatric neurology unit

Abstract

Purpose: Sulthiame is an old antiepileptic drug primarily used in a few European countries for the treatment of benign epilepsy of childhood with central temporal spikes. Other studies suggest that it might be effective in children and adults with a range of refractory seizure types.

Methods: A retrospective case note review was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sulthiame as adjunctive therapy in children with refractory epilepsies.

Results: Twenty patients (10 female) were evaluated, aged 10.7 (range 2.1-17) years. The median duration of treatment with sulthiame was 18 (range 2-37) months. Fifty five percent of patients showed at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency and two patients were seizure-free at the end of follow-up. Patients with focal seizures responded best. Seven patients reported side effects, leading to withdrawal of the drug in two (10%).

Conclusion: Sulthiame was reasonably effective and well-tolerated in a heterogeneous group of 20 children with refractory epilepsies. Although an 'old' antiepileptic drug it should be considered in a similar population.