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.
Coppola
G
G
Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Italy.
Pascotto
A
A
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