OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of clobazam in childhood refractory epilepsy and to characterize the adverse drug reaction profile in the Indian population. METHODS: A cohort of 88 children with 'refractory' epilepsy was started on clobazam as add-on therapy. Diagnosis was established and seizure type recorded. Therapeutic response was recorded as 'complete', 'good', and 'no response'. Observed side effects were classified as 'mild', 'moderate' and 'severe'. RESULTS: Most children were on at least two antiepileptics. Seizures most identified were either partial (36.3%) or generalized tonic-clonic (15.9%). The dose ranged from 0.3-2 mg/kg/day (average 1+0.2 mg/kg/day). Clobazam was effective against all seizure types with complete seizure control seen in 60.2% patients. Tolerance was seen in 5 (5.6%) patients. Side effects were seen in 23 (26%) patients and were 'mild' in 20 (86.9%) of them. Clobazam was stopped in three patients who developed ataxia, which resolved on stopping the drug. CONCLUSION: Clobazam was observed to be an effective broad-spectrum antiepileptic with 'mild' side effects in Indian children.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of clobazam in childhood refractory epilepsy and to characterize the adverse drug reaction profile in the Indian population. METHODS: A cohort of 88 children with 'refractory' epilepsy was started on clobazam as add-on therapy. Diagnosis was established and seizure type recorded. Therapeutic response was recorded as 'complete', 'good', and 'no response'. Observed side effects were classified as 'mild', 'moderate' and 'severe'. RESULTS: Most children were on at least two antiepileptics. Seizures most identified were either partial (36.3%) or generalized tonic-clonic (15.9%). The dose ranged from 0.3-2 mg/kg/day (average 1+0.2 mg/kg/day). Clobazam was effective against all seizure types with complete seizure control seen in 60.2% patients. Tolerance was seen in 5 (5.6%) patients. Side effects were seen in 23 (26%) patients and were 'mild' in 20 (86.9%) of them. Clobazam was stopped in three patients who developed ataxia, which resolved on stopping the drug. CONCLUSION:Clobazam was observed to be an effective broad-spectrum antiepileptic with 'mild' side effects in Indian children.
Authors: M A Montenegro; F Cendes; A L Noronha; S B Mory; M I Carvalho; L H Marques; C A Guerreiro Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2001-04 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: H N Bawden; C S Camfield; P R Camfield; C Cunningham; H Darwish; J M Dooley; K Gordon; G Ronen; J Stewart; R van Mastrigt Journal: Epilepsy Res Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 3.045