ABSTRACT: Topiramate (TPM) is effective for multiple seizure types and epilepsy syndromes in children and adults. Topiramate has adverse effects (including cognitive, depression, renal stones), but many of these are low incidence when started at a low dose and slowly titrated to 100 to 200 mg/day. Also, TPM has proven benefit for migraine, obesity, eating disorders, and alcohol use disorders, which can be comorbid in patients with epilepsy and may also be effective in subpopulations within specific psychiatric diagnoses. Recently approved extended-release formulations of TPM (Trokendi and Qudexy in the United States) have reliable data supporting their safety and efficacy for patients with epilepsy. They have potential for more rapid titration within 1 month to 200 mg/day and have better patient retention than TPM immediate-release, but there are no robust double-blind randomized controlled trials comparing the different formulations. We expect the once per day extendedrelease
formulations to improve medication adherence compared with the twice per day formulations. This has significant potential to improve outcomes in epilepsy and the other TPM-responsive disorders.
Kristin Maletsky2, Kartik Sivaraaman3 and Ram Mani3
1Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University. 2Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers
RWJMS. 3Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS).
4Department of Anesthesiology, Rutgers RWJMS.