Purpose To assess eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in elderly patients included in the Eslicarbazepine acetate in Partial-Onset Seizures (EPOS) study.

Method Adult patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures receiving antiepileptic monotherapy, whose clinician had previously and independently decided to initiate ESL add-on therapy, were enrolled in the prospective, non-interventional EPOS study. A post hoc analysis was conducted for elderly patients (>60 years). Assessments included retention rate after 6 months, responder and seizure freedom rates, Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-10 (QOLIE-10) and safety/tolerability.

Results Overall, 41 patients aged >60 years were included in EPOS (maximum age 83 years). After 6 months, retention, responder and seizure freedom rates were 78.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 62.4–89.4%; n=41), 83.3% (95% CI 65.3–94.4%; n=30) and 56.3% (95% CI 37.7–73.6%; n=32), respectively. Mean QOLIE-10 total score decreased from 2.7 (n=28) at baseline to 2.2 (−14.5%; n=24) after 6 months. Twelve adverse events (AEs) were reported for six (14.6%) patients; most frequently, dizziness (4.9%) and allergic dermatitis (4.9%). No AE was reported in >5% of patients.

Conclusion ESL as add-on to antiepileptic monotherapy was efficacious and generally well tolerated when used to treat patients aged >60 years in a real-life setting.

Supported by Eisai.