Treatment of tic douloureux with a new anticonvulsant (clonazepam).
Twenty-five patients affected by 30 episodes of tic douloureux were treated with a new anticonvulsant, clonazepam. In 40% there was complete control of the neuralgia and an additional 23.3% were significantly helped by the drug. Sixteen patients had previously been resistant to carbamazepine, and eight of them were completely and one partially relieved by clonazepam. The side-effects, somnolence and unsteadiness of gait, were present to some extent in 80 and 88% of the cases respectively, being severe in about half of them. It is concluded that clonazepam can be considered as a second choice for the treatment of this condition, after proven failure with carbamazepine. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D002998:Clonazepam