Efficacy and Safety of Eslicarbazepine Acetate as Adjunctive Therapy for Refractory Partial Epilepsy

This was a phase III, 2-part multicenter study. Part I was an 26-week parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled design consisting of an 8 week baseline period, a 2 week double-blinded titration period, 12 week maintenance period, and a 4 week tapering-off period. After completing the baseline period, patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of the 2 ESL daily dose levels (1200 or 800 mg) or placebo. Part II was a 1-year open-label extension for patients who had completed Part I. Starting at 800 mg/day, the dosage could be titrated at 400 mg intervals down to a minimum of 400 mg/day or up to a maximum of 1200 mg/day. Patients who completed Part II could participate in a study extension and continue treatment with ESL until marketing authorization is obtained or clinical development is discontinued, with visits scheduled at the discretion of the investigator but at least every 6 months. Results from Part I \& II were presented in two separate reports.