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Evidence summaries

Pregabalin Monotherapy for Epilepsy

Pregabalin appears to have inferior efficacy and tolerability in comparison to lamotrigine for newly diagnosed partial seizures. Level of evidence: "B"

Summary

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included one study with a total of 660 subjects. The study investigated the effects of pregabalin (150-600 mg daily) compared with lamotrigine (100-500 mg daily) in patients with newly diagnosed partial seizures. Pregabalin was inferior in comparison to lamotrigine when measuring time from randomisation to withdrawal due to inadequate seizure control after dose stabilisation (HR 4.52; 95% CI 1.93 to 10.60); time to achieve 6-month remission after dose stabilisation from randomisation (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.76); the proportion of participants who remained seizure-free for 6 or more continuous months (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.87) and time to first seizure after dose stabilisation from randomisation (HR 1.74; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.39). There were no statistical differences in safety-related outcomes, but more patients on pregabalin developed somnolence, weight increase and convulsions.

Comment: The quality of the evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (one trial).

Clinical comments

Note

Date of latest search:

References

  • Zhou Q, Zheng J, Yu L et al. Pregabalin monotherapy for epilepsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;10():CD009429. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords