Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy with Atomoxetine
- Author:
Kee Jeong PARK
1
;
Hyunji AHN
;
Mi-Sun YUM
;
Tae-Sung KO
;
Hyo-Won KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Psychiatry Investigation 2020;17(5):412-416
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of atomoxetine in Korean children and adolescents with epilepsy.
Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 105 children and adolescents with epilepsy treated with atomoxetine. Effectiveness was measured with the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and/or Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scales at baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks. We defined response to atomoxetine as a CGI-I score less than three at week 12. Safety was evaluated at each visit, based on clinical assessment by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and reports from participants or their caregivers.
Results:In total participants (n=105), 33 (31.4%) showed a response to treatment: a significant decrease in CGI-S scale score was observed over 12 weeks of atomoxetine treatment. The most common adverse event (AE) was decreased appetite (n=16, 15.2%), and life-threatening AEs were not observed. Seizure aggravation due to atomoxetine was observed in 7.6% (n=8) of total participants, and one of them discontinued atomoxetine.
Conclusion:Our results provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness and safety of atomoxetine in children and adolescents with epilepsy.
