title: Clobazam for intractable pediatric epilepsy.
abstract: We report our experience with add-on clobazam therapy over a 5-year period in 63 children with refractory epilepsy. The mean duration of epilepsy was 6.7 years. Children were followed for 15 to 64 months. Of 63 children, 57 were developmentally delayed, and 54 had a symptomatic/cryptogenic epilepsy. Forty-one percent became either seizure free or had a greater than 90% reduction in seizure frequency. Seizure frequency was reduced 50% to 90% in another 24%. The average daily dose of clobazam was 0.8 mg/kg. Thirty-five percent had the medication withdrawn for persistent or unacceptable side effects or the development of tolerance (seven patients). Side effects included severe aggressive outbursts, hyperactivity, insomnia, and depression with suicidal ideation. Clobazam is a useful add-on medication for 65% of children with epilepsy. Clinical utility may be limited by behavioral side effects in some patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9180, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ronen
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Goulden
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Penney
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bodensteiner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000078306:Clobazam; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000078306:Clobazam