Conditions: Epilepsy
Keywords: Epilepsy BIA 2-093
Allocation:  | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 35
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to characterize the pharmacokinetics of Eslicarbazepine acetate in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

Detailed description:
This clinical study was planned to be performed as an open-label, single-centre, multiple-dose study, in 30 paediatric epileptic patients distributed by 3 age groups of 10 patients each: 2-6 years \[Group 1\], 7-11 years \[Group 2\], and 12-17 years \[Group 3\].

The study was constituted by a 4-week baseline phase, followed by 3 consecutive 4-week treatment periods with Eslicarbazepine acetate in which patients received Eslicarbazepine acetate once-daily at the following dosage regimens: 5 mg/kg/day (weeks 1-4), 15 mg/kg/day (weeks 5-8) and 30 mg/kg/day or 1800 mg/day, whichever less (weeks 9-12). At the end of each 4-week treatment period, patients were hospitalised and serial blood samples for drug assays were obtained over a dosing interval.

After the last treatment period or in the event of premature discontinuation, the dose had to be down-titrated during a 2-week period. After the last treatment period patient could continue receiving Eslicarbazepine acetate ("compassionate use") if both parent(s)/guardian(s) /patient and his/her physician agreed this was in the best patient's interest. A follow-up visit occurred approximately 4 weeks after the last hospitalisation or early discontinuation.

Arms:
arm 1: At the end of the baseline phase, patients meeting the final selection criteria were admitted to three consecutive 4-week treatment periods in which they received Eslicarbazepine acetate once-daily at the following dosage regimens: 5 mg/kg/day in the first 4 weeks, 15 mg/kg/day in weeks 5-8 and 30 mg/kg/day or 1800 mg/day, whichever less, in weeks 9-12. After the last treatment period, dose was down-titrated during a 2-week period or patient continued receiving Eslicarbazepine acetate ("compassionate use") if both parent(s)/guardian(s)/patient and his/her physician agreed this was in the best patient's interest.

For Group 1 (2-6 years), oral suspension 50 mg/mL was used. The dose was to be rounded to the nearest 25 mg unit. arm 2: At the end of the baseline phase, patients meeting the final selection criteria were admitted to three consecutive 4-week treatment periods in which they received Eslicarbazepine acetate once-daily at the following dosage regimens: 5 mg/kg/day in the first 4 weeks, 15 mg/kg/day in weeks 5-8 and 30 mg/kg/day or 1800 mg/day, whichever less, in weeks 9-12. After the last treatment period, dose was down-titrated during a 2-week period or patient continued receiving Eslicarbazepine acetate ("compassionate use") if both parent(s)/guardian(s)/patient and his/her physician agreed this was in the best patient's interest.

For Group 2 (7-11 years) and Group 3 (12-17 years), Eslicarbazepine acetate strengths 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg tablets might be used. The dose was to be rounded to the nearest 100 mg unit. Half tablets might be used for dosage adjustment (tablets were scored). arm 3: At the end of the baseline phase, patients meeting the final selection criteria were admitted to three consecutive 4-week treatment periods in which they received Eslicarbazepine acetate once-daily at the following dosage regimens: 5 mg/kg/day in the first 4 weeks, 15 mg/kg/day in weeks 5-8 and 30 mg/kg/day or 1800 mg/day, whichever less, in weeks 9-12. After the last treatment period, dose was down-titrated during a 2-week period or patient continued receiving Eslicarbazepine acetate ("compassionate use") if both parent(s)/guardian(s)/patient and his/her physician agreed this was in the best patient's interest.

For Group 2 (7-11 years) and Group 3 (12-17 years), Eslicarbazepine acetate strengths 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg tablets might be used. The dose was to be rounded to the nearest 100 mg unit. Half tablets might be used for dosage adjustment (tablets were scored).

Interventions: intervention 1: BIA 2-093 (Eslicarbazepine acetate)
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Eslicarbazepine acetate administered at increasing daily doses of 5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg (or 1800 mg, whichever less); once-daily; oral route

Protocol document: