Objective
The aim of the study was to assess the clinical response to eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as add‐on therapy in adult patients with partial‐onset epilepsy by means of the time‐to‐baseline seizure count method.
Methods
We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with partial‐onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization, prescribed to ESL add‐on therapy. The primary endpoint was the time‐to‐baseline monthly seizure count. Subgroup analysis was performed according to carbamazepine (CBZ)/oxcarbazepine (OXC) status (prior vs never use). Secondary outcomes were the rate of treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) and the AEs affecting ≥5% of patients.
Results
One‐hundred and eighteen patients were included. The median time‐to‐baseline monthly seizure count was 46 (35‐101) days in the overall study cohort. The number of concomitant anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) was associated with the time‐to‐endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR]=2.22, 95% CI 1.18‐4.14, P=.013 for two AEDs vs one; adjHR=3.65, 95% CI 1.66‐8.06, P=.001 for three or more AEDs vs one). Groupwise, the median times‐to‐baseline seizure count were 47 (35‐97) and 43 (34‐103) in patients with prior and never exposure to CBZ/OXC, respectively (P for log‐rank test=.807). Adverse events occurred in 53.4% (63 of 118) of patients; the most frequently reported were dizziness (13.6%), somnolence (11.9%), nausea (6.8%), and fatigue (5.1%).
Conclusions
Add‐on ESL improved seizure control and was overall well‐tolerated in adult patients with partial‐onset epilepsy.