The role of vigabatrin in the management of infantile epileptic syndromes

Abstract

More than 360 children with intractable epilepsy have been treated with vigabatrin in single-blind or open, add-on studies. Approximately 50% or more of patients with West syndrome and partial seizures have shown a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency with the use of vigabatrin. A less consistent response has been found between studies evaluating vigabatrin in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, although, overall, approximately 50% of these patients have also shown a greater than 50% decrease in seizures. The use of vigabatrin in idiopathic localization-related epilepsy, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and the Landau Kleffner syndrome have not been reported, but its evaluation in these conditions may be warranted based on the relatively excellent safety profile of vigabatrin. Vigabatrin has been shown to aggravate "nonprogressive myoclonic epilepsies." Vigabatrin has been well tolerated in children, with mild drowsiness and agitation being the most commonly reported side effects.