Gabapentin controls seizures in children receiving chemotherapy.

2004 MAY 11 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Gabapentin effectively controls seizures in the majority of children treated with chemotherapy, with few side effects.

"Hepatic clearance of chemotherapy drugs is increased by many antiepilepsy drugs. At our institution, new-onset seizures in children on chemotherapy are treated with gabapentin, a nonhepatic enzyme inducer. The charts of all children given gabapentin for seizures were reviewed," researchers in the United States report.

"At a median follow-up of 34 months, seizures were controlled in 74% of 50 children given gabapentin monotherapy as initial treatment: 91% of the leukemia group, 57% of the brain tumor group, and 75% of the other tumor group. Seizures were controlled in 49% of 59 children in whom gabapentin was added to other antiepilepsy drugs: 43% of the leukemia group, 53% of the brain tumor group, and 50% of the other tumor group," wrote R.B. Khan and colleagues, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Division of Neurooncology.

"More than one seizure at presentation, focal neurologic deficits, high-dose methotrexate, brain irradiation, and T-2-weighted signal abnormality around the brain tumor cavity predicted uncontrolled seizures," the researchers wrote.

The researchers concluded: "Only eight children (7%) reported adverse effects, and the drug was discontinued in two. Gabapentin effectively controls seizures in children receiving chemotherapy and is well tolerated."

Khan and colleagues published their study in theJournal of Child Neurology (Gabapentin to control seizures in children undergoing cancer treatment. J Child Neurol, 2004;19(2):97-101).

For additional information, contact R.B. Khan, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Division of Neurooncology, 332 N. Lauderdale St., Mail Stop 220, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Child Neurology is: B.C. Decker, Inc., 20 Hughson St. South, PO Box 620, L C D 1, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3K7, Canada.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Oncology.

This article was prepared by Cancer Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Cancer Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.