Lyrica (pregabalin) in the treatment of focal refractory epilepsy in adults

Efficacy and tolerability of a new antiepileptic drug pregabalin (lyrica) as an add-on drug in patients with focal refractory epilepsy was analyzed. The most commonly used dosage was 450 mg/d. For the 6-month treatment of 19 patients, aged 18-30 years, a positive effect of the combined therapy was observed in 68,4%, the remission was achieved in 31,6% and the significant improvement in 36,8%. Drug was discontinued due to the lack of efficacy and intolerance in 31,6%. Drowsiness was the most frequent adverse event and hemorrhagic vasculitis was registered in one patient. Two cases of effective use of the drug during pregnancy with the birth of healthy children are reported. A case of the high efficacy of pregabalin in migraine-epilepsy is described. High efficacy and good tolerability as well as favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and distinct anxyolytic effect give indications for use of pregabalin in clinical practice.