Association of Lamotrigine Plasma Concentrations With Efficacy and Toxicity in Patients With Epilepsy: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence to support the currently suggested lamotrigine (LTG) therapeutic reference range of 2.5–15 mg/L for the treatment of seizures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of LTG plasma concentrations with the efficacy and toxicity of the treatment in patients with epilepsy. Methods: Patients whose LTG plasma concentration was measured between January 2013 and February 2022 were included. Efficacy was defined as seizure freedom for at least 6 months around the time of measured LTG concentration. Toxicity was defined as any LTG-related adverse drug effect documented in each patient's health record or when the reason for measuring the LTG concentration was toxicity. In addition, the dose–concentration relationship of LTG was assessed. Results: In total, 549 concentrations from 259 patients with epilepsy were included. The most common reasons for therapeutic drug monitoring were suspected inefficacy (39%) and pregnancy (21%). The LTG plasma concentration was not associated with efficacy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–1.04). The LTG plasma concentration was positively associated with the incidence of toxicity after adjusting for age, sex, and number of antiepileptic drugs (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.19). The daily dose had a significant linear correlation with the LTG plasma concentration (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The LTG plasma concentration was associated with toxicity, whereas no association with efficacy was found. A reference range of 2.5–10 mg/L may be considered to decrease the risk of toxicity while maintaining similar efficacy. Therapeutic drug monitoring may be useful when LTG-related toxicity is suspected and in cases of pharmacokinetic changes (eg, pregnancy and concomitant use of interacting drugs) that can influence the LTG plasma concentration.