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Evidence summaries

Oxcarbazepine Versus Carbamazepine Monotherapy for Partial Onset Seizures

Oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine may be similarly effective and well tolerated in patients with partial onset seizures. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 3 studies with a total of 723 subjects with partial onset epilepsy. The efficacy results are based on one trial using adequate outcome measures of efficacy. The results on adverse events are based on 3 trials. There was no difference in time to treatment withdrawal between the two drugs (HR of oxcarbazepine (OXC) versus carbamazepine (CBZ): 1.04, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.39). Further analyses showed no significant difference in treatment withdrawal for unacceptable side effects (HR of OXC versus CBZ: 0.85, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.24) and in treatment withdrawal for inadequate seizure control (HR of OXC versus CBZ: 1.33, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.15). Significantly fewer patients on carbamazepine treatment developed nausea or vomiting, or both (odds ratio of OXC versus CBZ: 3.15, 95% CI 1.39 to 7.14).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (lack of blinding) and imprecise results (efficacy results are based on one trial).

References

  • Koch MW, Polman SK. Oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine monotherapy for partial onset seizures. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009 Oct 7;(4):CD006453. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords