Vigabatrin--a new antiepileptic agent
Nakken, K.O.; Henriksen, O.; Johannessen, S.I.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 114(24): 2843-2844
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 7998031 Document Number: 427220
The new antiepileptic drug vigabatrin acts by preventing degradation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid). This appears to decrease propagation of abnormal hypersynchronous discharges, thus reducing seizure activity. In an open study in 46 patients with intractable epilepsy, supplementary therapy with vigabatrin reduced seizure by at least 50% in 15 patients. Three patients became seizure-free. The best effect of vigabatrin is seen in patients with partial epilepsy. Tiredness and irritability were the most frequently reported side effects, but these were usually mild and transient.