Comparative efficacy of unique antiepileptic drug regimens in focal epilepsy: An exploratory study.

Objective: To compare efficacy of unique antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy regimens among patients with focal epilepsy.

Methods: From a longitudinal study of AED treatment, we identified patients with active focal epilepsy who had attempted at least two unique AED regimens (mono-, duo-, or tri-therapy). Efficacy was defined as the presence of at least one six-month period of continuous seizure freedom during exposure to a regimen.

Drug-resistant epilepsy in adults: Outcome trajectories after failure of two medications.

Objective: To examine the seizure trajectories of adults with epilepsy developing drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and to identify the predictors of seizure trajectory outcome.

Methods: Adult patients failing two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) due to inefficacy and starting their third AED at a tertiary epilepsy center were followed for seizure trajectory outcome during medical management. Seizure trajectories were categorized into one of four patterns: (1) course with constant seizures; (2) fluctuating course; (3) delayed attainment of seizure freedom (seizure freedom delayed for >12 months after start of the study, but patient stayed in seizure freedom); and (4) early attainment of seizure freedom (within 12 months of starting study).