title: Effect of add-on amantadine therapy for refractory absence epilepsy.
abstract: Amantadine hydrochloride was administered as an add-on drug to four children with refractory absence epilepsy, resulting in complete resolution of absence episodes within 1 week. All patients remained free of symptoms for 27 to 36 months without adverse effects related to this drug. An attempt to discontinue the use of this medication in three children resulted in a prompt relapse. The suggestion that amantadine may be an effective drug in the treatment of refractory absence epilepsy, should be tested in a double-blind, controlled study.
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Shahar
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000547:Amantadine