Epilepsy drug now available for tonic-clonic seizures

Source: labonline.com.au --- Sunday, October 16, 2016
Fycompa, a once-daily epilepsy treatment from Eisai , is now available in Australia for adjunctive treatment of primary generalised tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures in adults and adolescents (≥12 years) with idiopathic generalised epilepsy. The milestone comes two years after the drug was initially made available in Australia for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalised seizures. It is estimated that idiopathic generalised epilepsy makes up 20% of all epilepsies, with PGTC seizures being the most common seizure type. Such seizures start with a loss of consciousness and a sudden contraction of the muscles, which can cause the person to fall down (tonic phase), followed by violent seizures (clonic phase) until the muscles finally relax. There is a serious risk of injury with PGTC seizures, including bone fractures and burns. The number of anti-epileptic drugs licensed for the treatment of PGTC seizures is limited, and up to 20% of people with idiopathic generalised epilepsy remain uncontrolled despite treatment. Fycompa’s approval for PFTC indication is therefore “a welcome advance for people living with idiopathic generalised epilepsy who experience tonic-clonic seizures”, according to John Bower, market access and medical director of Eisai Australia. The approval follows a Phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 164 patients age 12 years or older taking ...

from Australia http://ift.tt/2evaasR