Adjunctive cenobamate for the treatment of focal onset seizures in adults with epilepsy: a critical review.

Adjunctive cenobamate for the treatment of focal onset seizures in adults with epilepsy: a critical review. Expert Rev Neurother. 2020 Oct 08;: Authors: Wheless JW Abstract INTRODUCTION: Uncontrolled epilepsy has persisted despite the development of numerous antiseizure medications (ASM) over the past 25 years, and a significant need exists for more effective treatments. Cenobamate is a new ASM approved in the US for treatment of adults with focal onset seizures. AREAS COVERED: This review outlines cenobamate study results, including data in preclinical animal models through phase 2 and 3 clinical studies. Topics include mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of cenobamate. Information on dosing, tolerability, and special populations are included to help healthcare providers understand and begin using this new ASM. EXPERT OPINION: Adjunctive cenobamate shows a high level of efficacy in treating patients with refractory focal epilepsy, more than has been observed with other ASMs. Most notable are reductions in monthly seizure frequency (up to 55%) and unprecedented seizure-free rates (up to 28%) observed with cenobamate in these patients with refractory epilepsy despite the concomitant use of 1-3 ASMs. Cenobamate was generally safe and well-tolerated, with a safety profile similar to other ASMs. Due to 3 early cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), however, the starting dose of cenobamate wa...
Source: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics - Category: Neurology Tags: Expert Rev Neurother Source Type: research