Dataset Information

Low-dose fenfluramine significantly reduces seizure frequency in Dravet syndrome: a prospective study of a new cohort of patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe, drug-resistant epilepsy. Fenfluramine has been reported to have a long-term clinically meaningful anticonvulsive effect in patients with DS.

Methods

This prospective, open-label study assessed the safety and effectiveness of low-dose fenfluramine in a new cohort of patients with DS. Following a 3-month baseline period, fenfluramine was added to each patient's current antiepileptic drug regimen at a dose of 0.25-1.0 mg/kg/day (max. 20 mg/day). The incidence of major motor seizures (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, atonic and myoclonic seizures lasting >30 s) in both the baseline and treatment periods was assessed via a seizure diary. Periodic echocardiographic examinations during the treatment period were used to assess cardiovascular safety.

Results

Nine patients (aged 1.2-29.8 years) enrolled in the study and were treated with fenfluramine for a median duration of 1.5 (range, 0.3-5.1) years. Median frequency of major motor seizures was 15.0/month in the baseline period. All patients demonstrated a reduction in seizure frequency during the treatment period with a median reduction of 75% (range, 28-100%). Seven patients (78%) experienced a ?50% reduction in major motor seizure frequency. The most common adverse events were somnolence (n = 5) and anorexia (n = 4). No evidence of cardiac valvulopathy or pulmonary hypertension was observed.

Conclusions

The effectiveness and safety of low-dose fenfluramine as an add-on therapy for DS in this new prospective cohort supports previous findings.

SUBMITTER: Schoonjans A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5298030 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Low-dose fenfluramine significantly reduces seizure frequency in Dravet syndrome: a prospective study of a new cohort of patients.

Schoonjans A A Paelinck B P BP Marchau F F Gunning B B Gammaitoni A A Galer B S BS Lagae L L Ceulemans B B

European journal of neurology 20161028 2

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe, drug-resistant epilepsy. Fenfluramine has been reported to have a long-term clinically meaningful anticonvulsive effect in patients with DS.<h4>Methods</h4>This prospective, open-label study assessed the safety and effectiveness of low-dose fenfluramine in a new cohort of patients with DS. Following a 3-month baseline period, fenfluramine was added to each patient's current antiepileptic drug regimen at a dose of 0.25-1.0 mg/kg/day ...[more]

PMID: 27790834

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Dataset Information

Low-dose fenfluramine significantly reduces seizure frequency in Dravet syndrome: a prospective study of a new cohort of patients.

Background and purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Low-dose fenfluramine significantly reduces seizure frequency in Dravet syndrome: a prospective study of a new cohort of patients.

Similar Datasets

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