NEWS: Study Shows Newer Epilepsy Drug Has Worse Side Effects
Than Older Drug
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2003
http://gumc.georgetown.edu/communications/releases/release.cfm?ObjectID=278
CONTACT: Lindsey Spindle, (202) 687-7707, [email protected]
from: Georgetown University Medical Center
Study Shows Newer Epilepsy Drug Has Worse Side Effects Than Older
Drug
Cognition, Word Recognition Worse in Patients Taking Topiramate
Washington, DC - Two commonly prescribed epilepsy drugs have
varied cognitive side effects on patients, report doctors from Georgetown
University Medical Center. Their findings are published in the May 13
issue of the journal Neurology.
In a double-blind, randomized study, researchers looked at 2
drugs, valproate-released in 1978 for the treatment of epileptic seizures,
and topiramate, approved by the FDA in late 1996. Each drug was added
to carbamazepine, a standard epilepsy treatment, and then given to
patients with epilepsy. The cognitive effects on those patients taking
topiramate were slightly, although noticeably, worse than those taking the
older valproate for a subset of patients.
“If our ultimate goal is to enable patients to be seizure free
with the least amount of side effects, it is our responsibility to study
new drugs as they come to market and understand the depths of side
effects compared against each other,” said Dr. Kimford Meador, principal
investigator and chair of neurology at Georgetown. “Cognitive effects are
among a variety of adverse effects that drugs can produce.”
Before this neuropsychological study, cognitive side effects had
been reported during topiramate treatment, but effects relative to
other antiepileptic drugs were unclear. This new research specifically
measured if patients on one of the drugs had more difficulty with word
recognition, speaking fluency, verbal memory, and other measures of
cognition. Sixty-two patients completed all three test periods of the study.
“It is important to remember that even subtle differences between
antiepileptic drugs can amount to a totally different experience and
level of satisfaction or frustration for our patients,” said Meador.
In related research, Dr. Meador continues to study the impact of
other epilepsy medicines on unborn children.
Epilepsy is a disabling neurological disorder of repeated
seizures caused by excessive or abnormal brain electrical discharges.
Depending on the area of the brain affected, the seizures may appear in the
form of convulsions, muscle jerks, a blank stare, or a loss of awareness.
“Epilepsy has a profound and quite sad impact on a patient’s
life,” said Meador. “On top of the daily struggle to manage their
debilitation, epileptics face an increased rate of death due to accidents and
suffer great economic losses over their lifetime. Anything we can
discover that will make their lives better is an important contribution.”
According to The Centers for Disease Control, epilepsy and
seizures affect about 2.3 million Americans, and result in an estimated
annual cost of $12.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings
and production. The CDC reports about 10% of Americans will experience a
seizure in their lifetime.
The study was funded by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, maker of
topiramate.
Re: Study Shows Newer Epilepsy Drug Has Worse Side Effects T
Since when are you the judge of what is welcome????
Beth
What is it that offends you here?
That Georgetown U would conduct a study comparing the safety of two commonly used medication for epilepsy and find that the newer medicine had more negative side effects than the one previously being used?
That anyone would presume to share research like this with other parents?
Perhaps you do not feel that parents should be informed as to the full nature of the medications their children (and even, yes sometimes they themselves) use?
Once we all fall into line and stop asking questions about the efficacy, safety or even the appropriatness of using medications on our children, what shall be next? Shall we also just acquiesce to the schools and stop questioning our children’s IEP’s?
Who are you really. I know that many of us here use nicknames and do not really id ourselves, but we regulars tend to be consistent in our use of nicknames and once you get a feel for linguistic patterns we can spot each other easily enough. You seem to be a new player in all this.
Maybe a better question is why are you really here?
Re: What is it that offends you here?
Dad,
I think this may be an imposter. Personally, I appreciate your posts.
Andrea
Oh Dad there you go again posting intelligent and rellevant information. Knock it off!! It is not welcome or appreciated here.