Clobazam in refractory childhood epilepsy.
Date
2010-03
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Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Clobazam, Newer antiepileptics, Refractory epilepsy, Add-on therapy
Citation
Kalra Veena, Seth Rachna, Mishra Devendra, Saha Narayan C. Clobazam in refractory childhood epilepsy. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2010 Mar; 77(3): 263-266.