Fintepla Associated with Stronger 12-Month Persistence than Valproate or Levetiracetam

In a study presented at the 2023 American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting, people with Dravet syndrome (DS) who used a treatment regimen based on Fintepla (fenfluramine; UCB, Atlanta, GA) demonstrated a stronger persistence over a 12-month period compared with those who used valproate or levetiracetam. Persistence was defined as the duration of continuous treatment without a gap of more than 90 days. DS is a lifelong, rare, treatment-resistant developmental and epileptic encephalopathy associated with high seizure burden, multiple comorbidities, and reduced quality of life.

Researchers conducted statistical analysis to compare persistence in US health claims data (Komodo Health, San Francisco, CA) for people with DS who used levetiracetam or valproate for at least 12 months between 2016 and 2023, or people who used Fintepla for at least 12 months between its approval in 2020 and 2023.

Of people receiving Fintepla, 72% did so consistently for at least 12 months, which is significantly higher than the 44% and 43% persistence associated with levetiracetam and valproate, respectively. As greater persistence is associated with improved efficacy and tolerability for chronic conditions, the results of this study suggest that Fintepla may be an effective treatment for people with DS.

The authors of this study are affiliated with UCB and Ambit.