Fenfluramine Shows Long-Term Benefits for Lennox-Gastaut Patients

Source: Epilepsy & behavior : E&B

Summary

This study looked at the long-term effects of a medication called fenfluramine on people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a type of epilepsy. The research included 247 patients aged between 2 and 35 years who had previously participated in a controlled trial. They continued to take fenfluramine for an extended period, with doses adjusted based on their needs. The study aimed to assess the safety of the medication and how well it worked in reducing seizures and improving the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.

The findings showed that fenfluramine significantly reduced the frequency of seizures associated with falls by an average of 31.1% over the study period. Caregivers and doctors reported that about 60% of patients showed improvement in their overall condition. Additionally, the quality of life for patients and the anxiety levels of caregivers improved after a year of treatment. While some patients experienced side effects like decreased appetite and fatigue, there were no serious heart-related issues reported.

These results are important because they suggest that fenfluramine can be a safe and effective long-term treatment option for people with LGS, helping to reduce seizures and improve daily life. However, it’s worth noting that the study only included patients who were already part of a previous trial, which means more research is needed to confirm these findings in a broader population.

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