Clonazepam in the treatment of epilepsy. A clinical long-term follow-up study

Epilepsia. 1976 Sep;17(3):321-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1976.tb03410.x.

Abstract

Sixty-eight patients with various types of epileptic seizures have been treated with clonazepam (Rivotril). Fifty-four patients could be evaluated. In 44 patients, clonazepam was used as a supplement to insufficient previous medication. Ten patients received clonazepam alone. The mean duration of treatment was 2 years and 7 months. Thirty-three patients are still on clonazepam, with a mean duration of treatment of 3 years and 4 months. In 34 patients (63%) a reduction of more than 50% was seen in the seizure frequency of the only type suffered by a patient, or of one of several types. No significant decrease in antiepileptic potency with time was observed. Medication was withdrawn in a total of 21 of the 54 patients because of freedom from seizures (2 patients), lack of effect (7 patients), increased frequency of seizures (3 patients), or lack of cooperation and/or side-effects (3 patients). In 5 patients, the drug may have provoked new types of epileptic seizure. This long-term follow-up study seems to substantiate the favorable antiepileptic properties of clonazepam.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Benzodiazepinones / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clonazepam / adverse effects
  • Clonazepam / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy, Absence / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Benzodiazepinones
  • Clonazepam