Last modified: 2014-04-03
Abstract
Introduction: The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurobiological disorder. There is strong evidence of a higher prevalence of ADHD in children suffering from epilepsy. There are very few studies of pharmacological treatments in this patients. One of the current pharmacological options for this disorder is atomoxetine (ATX).
Objective: To describe the response, epilepsy behavior and the electroencephalogram (EEG) after treatment with ATX, also its tolerability.
Patients and methods: A sample of 22 patients under 18 years old, diagnosed of ADHD and epilepsy, and treated with ATX was reviewed. In all cases clinical information was collected before and after treatment with ATX. Data reviewed came from journal of seizures, parents, teachers and psychologists reports, DSM-IV questionnaire, Conners test, EDAH test and CBCL questionnaire.
Results: Clinical improvement was observed in 59% of patients, 4 worsened (patients previously diagnosed of secondary focal epilepsy and epilepsy with continuous peak-wave during sleep), and in 5 cases there was no change. Regarding the number of seizures and EEGs evolutionary control: no change in 20 patients and in only 2 worse seizures (unchanged in the EEG). Main side effects were: drowsiness, anorexia and headache. In 5 patients treatment was withdrawn (4 cases due to irritability and 1 supraventricular tachycardia case).
Conclusions: ATX is an efficient and safe treatment in the clinical control caused by ADHD showing no impact in the epilepsy behavior or EEG