A randomized study of carbamazepine versus no medication after a first unprovoked seizure in childhood.
We randomized 31 children with a 1st afebrile unprovoked seizure to receive carbamazepine (CBZ) or no medication for 1 year or until the time of a 2nd seizure. All seizures had a focal onset or were generalized tonic-clonic. Overall, 2/14 randomized to CBZ and 9/17 with no medication had a recurrent afebrile seizure. Compliance with CBZ was excellent in 12/14, but noncompliance may have contributed to 1 of the recurrences with CBZ. Four discontinued CBZ because of side effects. Two additional children taking CBZ had a febrile seizure. Thus, only 6/14 taking CBZ had a year completely seizure-free with no unacceptable medication side effects. Of those taking no medication, 2 had a febrile recurrence, and 7/17 had a year completely-seizure free. Side effects and febrile recurrences may limit the value of CBZ for some children, although CBZ appears to reduce significantly recurrences after a 1st afebrile seizure.
Camfield
P
P
Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Camfield
C
C
Dooley
J
J
Smith
E
E
Garner
B
B
D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003875:Drug Eruptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011897:Random Allocation; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages
D002220:Carbamazepine