RATIONALISATION OF THERAPY IN SEVERE EPILEPSY

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Abstract
Anticonvulsant therapy in 18 institutionalized adult epileptic persons was rationalized. The mean number of drugs [carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, phenytoin ethosuximide, nitrazepam, phenobarbitone, primidone, sodium valproate]administered was reduced from 3.2 to 2.0 per patients with improvement of seizure control in 11 patients, and either no alteration or a mild deterioration of seizure control in 7 patients. In this latter group, there was an improvement in cerebellar signs and/or mentation associated with the reduction in drug therapy. Even in patients with apparently severe epilepsy, while monotherapy may not be achieved, a significant reduction in the number of medications administered may be. Medication can be effectively administered twice/day.