Skip to main content

Novel Potassium Channel Opener Safe, Effective for Adults With Focal Epilepsy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, 2023 -- XEN1101 appears safe and effective for the treatment of focal-onset seizures (FOSs), according to results of a phase 2b study published online Oct. 9 in JAMA Neurology.

Jacqueline A. French, M.D., from the New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in New York City, and colleagues evaluated the efficacy and safety of XEN1101, a novel small-molecule selective Kv7.2/Kv7.3 potassium channel opener, for the treatment of FOS. The analysis included 285 patients who were randomly assigned (2:1:1:2) to receive XEN1101 25, 20, or 10 mg, or placebo with food once daily for eight weeks.

The researchers reported that treatment with XEN1101 was associated with seizure reduction in a robust dose-response manner. From baseline, the median percent reduction in monthly FOS frequency was 52.8 percent for 25 mg, 46.4 percent for 20 mg, and 33.2 percent for 10 mg. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar to those of commonly prescribed antiseizure medications.

"The results of this study support the further clinical development of XEN1101 for the treatment of FOSs," the authors write. "The findings of this study suggest that XEN1101 has the potential to address the unmet need for a treatment with a novel mechanism of action for patients."

Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Xenon Pharmaceuticals, which is developing XEN1101.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Nonmotor Seizures Often Undiagnosed in the Emergency Department

THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 -- Nonmotor seizures are often missed in the emergency department and are only realized after conversion to motor seizures, according to a study published...

Sleep Apnea, Low Oxygen in Sleep Linked to Late-Onset Epilepsy

THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 -- Sleep apnea and late-midlife oxygen desaturation to less than 80 percent during sleep are associated with subsequent development of late-onset epilepsy...

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Does Not Increase New-Onset Seizure Risk

TUESDAY, April 30, 2024 -- There is no risk for new-onset seizure incidence for individuals receiving a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine versus...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.