Lacosamide Shows Better Long-Term Use in Epilepsy Treatment
Source: Neurology and therapy
Summary
This study looked at three newer medications for treating epilepsy: lacosamide (LCM), brivaracetam (BRV), and perampanel (PER). Researchers gathered data from 850 adults with epilepsy who were using these medications as add-on treatments. The goal was to see how well these medications worked over time and how long patients continued taking them.
The key findings showed that patients taking lacosamide were more likely to stay on their treatment for a full year compared to those on brivaracetam or perampanel. Specifically, 86% of patients on lacosamide continued their treatment after 12 months, while 79% on brivaracetam and 75% on perampanel did the same. Although all three medications had similar effectiveness in controlling seizures, lacosamide was associated with fewer patients stopping treatment early, especially in the first year.
These findings are important because they suggest that lacosamide may be a better option for patients who need a medication they can stick with long-term. However, the study has some limits, such as being based on data from one country and focusing only on adults. It also highlights that while early tolerability is crucial, the effectiveness of the medication over time is also important for treatment decisions.
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