Memantine Safe for People With Epilepsy in Study

Source: Annals of clinical and translational neurology

Summary

A study was conducted to see if adding memantine, a medication often used for cognitive impairment, would worsen seizures in people with epilepsy. The researchers invited individuals with epilepsy and cognitive issues to participate, and 211 people joined the study. They were followed for at least 24 weeks, with some taking memantine and others not, while all participants continued their regular seizure medications.

The results showed that adding memantine did not lead to new severe seizures or significantly increase seizure frequency. Only a small number of participants reported more frequent seizures, with slightly more in the memantine group compared to the non-memantine group. Some participants experienced mild side effects like headaches and dizziness, but overall, memantine was well tolerated, and most people continued taking it throughout the study.

This study is important because it suggests that memantine may not worsen seizures in people with epilepsy, which is a concern that had been raised before. However, the study had limitations, such as a small number of participants and the need for more extensive research to confirm these findings. Larger studies could help better understand how memantine affects seizure control and overall safety in people with epilepsy.

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