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THE RATE OF DOSAGE INCREASE OF CLONAZEPAM
Author(s) -
Elian Marta,
Lund M.,
Melsen S.
Publication year - 1973
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.1600-0404.1973.tb02281.x
Subject(s) - clonazepam , medicine , anesthesia , significant difference , surgery
The relationship between the rate of dosage increase of clonazepam (Ro 5‐4023) and the number of patients with side‐effects was investigated, with special reference to the number of cases in which clonazepam had to be discontinued. Out‐patients in the age group of 18 to 50 years treated for non‐symptomatic epilepsy with an insufficient result were included. The patients were allocated to one of two groups. The initial dose was 1 mg. The maintenance dose, 8 mg, was reached within 1 week in group 1, and within 3 weeks in group 2. Side‐effects were registered in 96 per cent of the patients in group 1, in 85 per cent in group 2. Of the 26 patients in group 1, 11—i.e. 42 per cent—had the drug discontinued owing to severe side‐effects. Group 2 included 27 patients. Clonazepam had to be stopped in 3 cases, i.e. 11 per cent. In the study of Birket‐Smith et al. (1972) 36 patients were given the same initial dose as in this study. They reached the maintenance dose of 6 mg within 2 weeks. Considering the number of cases in which clonazepam had to be stopped, a highly significant difference was found between our one‐week group and the two‐weeks group mentioned. The difference between our one‐week and our three‐weeks group was also significant, whereas no difference was found between the two‐weeks and the three‐weeks group. It is concluded justifiable to prefer a schedule according to which the maintenance dose is reached within 2 weeks. However, individualizing the rate of increasing the dose will often be indicated.