Tiagabine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012

Publication History Publication Status: Edited (no change to conclusions) Published Online: 16 MAY 2012 SEARCH ARTICLE TOOLS Abstract Abstract Background Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, affecting almost 0.5 to 1% of the population.
Tiagabine is one of the newer antiepileptic drugs and its effects as an adjunct (add-on) to standard drugs are assessed in this review.
Objectives To evaluate the effects of add-on treatment with tiagabine upon seizures, adverse effects, cognition and quality of life for people with drug-resistant localisation related seizures.
Search methods This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in issue 10, 2010.
We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Specialised Register (December 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, issue 4, 2011 of The Cochrane Library ), and MEDLINE (1948 to November 2011).
We also contacted the manufacturers of tiagabine and experts in the field to seek any ongoing or unpublished studies.
Selection criteria Randomised placebo controlled add-on trials of people of any age with localisation related seizures, in which an adequate method of concealment of randomisation was used were included.
Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted data.
Outcomes investigated included 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency; treatment withdrawal; adverse effects; effects on cognition and quality of life.
The overall relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency (tiagabine versus placebo) was 3.16 (95% CI 1.97 to 5.07).
Due to differences in response rates among trials, regression models were unable to provide reliable estimates of responses to individual doses.