Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction.

ABSTRACT

The authors prospectively assessed drug reduction and patient satisfaction in 21 patients using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy and compared results to a case-matched control group with a mean follow-up of 13.2 months. Significant antiepileptic drug (AED) reduction occurred in 9/21 (42.9%) of VNS patients averaging 0.43 AED/patient, with dose reduction in four patients (19.0%). For 12/21 (57.1%) patients not reducing AED, dose reduction occurred in 6/21 (28.6%). Drug and dose reduction of AED is possible in patients using VNS for refractory epilepsy without loss of seizure control and with improved patient satisfaction.