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PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF A NEW BENZODIAZEPINE (RO 5–4023) IN EPILEPSY
Author(s) -
BirketSmith Erik,
Mikkelsen Bent
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1972.tb07559.x
Subject(s) - clonazepam , discontinuation , benzodiazepine , epilepsy , anesthesia , medicine , grand mal , phenobarbital , nitrazepam , electroencephalography , diazepam , surgery , psychiatry , receptor
49 epileptic patients have been treated with the benzodiazepine derivative RO 5–4023 (clonazepam). In 27 of 42 patients observed from 3 to more than 12 months the results were satisfactory, inasmuch as 11 were free from seizures and 16 showed a reduction in the frequency of seizures by more than 50 %. 22 of the patients treated with other antiepileptics with unsatisfactory results continued the previous treatment during the first months of the trial; later on it was often possible to reduce it. The effect of RO 5–4023 was found to be just as good with grand mal as with psychomotor seizures. Other types of seizures occurred too infrequently to permit of evaluation. A signicant correlation between a clinical improvement of more than 50 % and improvement in the EEG during treatment was demonstrated. Side effects such as tiredness and sleepiness were seen in practically all cases, but nearly always disappeared within 1 to 2 weeks rendering discontinuation of the treatment necessary in 4 cases only. On account of the side effects it was indispensable to start with a small daily dosage and to increase it slowly. Serious side effects were not seen, nor was increase in the frequency of seizures, or the development of new types of seizures.