Abstract
To determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of rufinamide in treating refractory
epilepsy in a largely pediatric population. A retrospective chart review was conducted
of all patients prescribed rufinamide from December 2008 to July 2010 in the Pediatric
Epilepsy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. Eighty-eight patients
on rufinamide with sufficient data for analysis were included in the study. Eight
(9.1%) patients had >90% seizure reduction, 40 (45.5%) patients had 50–90% seizure
reduction, 19 (21.6%) patients had <50% seizure reduction, and 21 (23.9%) patients
had no change in seizure frequency. Generally mild side effects were reported by 28
(31.8%) patients, with the two most common side effects being decreased appetite in
seven (8.0%) patients, and somnolence in six (6.8%) patients. Rufinamide appears to
be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated antiepileptic drug in the treatment of broad-spectrum
intractable epilepsy, expanding outside its specific Food and Drug Administration
approved usage in treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Keywords
Rufinamide - epilepsy - pediatric
