Double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of allopurinol as add-on therapy in childhood refractory epilepsy.
We report the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial with allopurinol as add-on therapy in childhood refractory epilepsy. Seventeen patients received allopurinol and matched placebo for 12 weeks in 2 doses (10 mg/kg/day during the first week and 15 mg/kg/day thereafter with a washout period of 2 weeks between treatment phases. The total number of seizures was reduced by 50-98% in 4 patients (23.5%) and by 25-49% in another 4 (23.5%). However, the number of seizures remained unchanged in 5 patients (29.4%) and worsened in 4 (23.5%). Adverse side effects (17.6%) were generally mild and transient, suggesting that allopurinol is well-tolerated. A mean follow-up of 10 months of the responders did not show any relevant efficacy of allopurinol as an adjuvant therapy for refractory epilepsy, even at high doses.
Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Italy.
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Coppola
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Pascotto
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D014527:Uric Acid; D000493:Allopurinol