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Clonazepam in the Treatment of Epilepsy. A Clinical Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study
Author(s) -
Bang F.,
BirketSmith E.,
Mikkelsen B.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1976.tb03410.x
Subject(s) - clonazepam , epilepsy , medicine , anesthesia , anticonvulsant , pediatrics , psychiatry
SUMMARY Sixty‐eight patients with various types of epileptic seizures have been treated with clonazepam (Rivotril®). Fifty‐four patients could be evaluated. In 44 patients, clonazepam was used as a supplement to insufficient previous medication. Ten patients received clonazepam alone. The mean duration of treatment was 2 years and 7 months. Thirty‐three patients are still on clonazepam, with a mean duration of treatment of 3 years and 4 months. In 34 patients (63%) a reduction of more than 50% was seen in the seizure frequency of the only type suffered by a patient, or of one of several types. No significant decrease in antiepileptic potency with time was observed. Medication was withdrawn in a total of 21 of the 54 patients because of freedom from seizures (2 patients), lack of effect (7 patients), increased frequency of seizures (3 patients), or lack of cooperation and/or side‐effects (3 patients). In 5 patients, the drug may have provoked new types of epileptic seizure. This long‐term follow‐up study seems to substantiate the favorable antiepileptic properties of clonazepam.