A double‐blind study comparing carbamazepine with phenytoin as initial seizure therapy in adults

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Abstract
Carbamazepine was compared with phenytoin in a double-blind study. Of 87 patients, data on 70 patients were complete and used for analysis. Patients (35) were treated with each drug. The incidence of major side effects, minor side effects and complete control (85%) was the same in both groups. A mild but significant elevation of WBC [white blood cell] count was found before initiation of drug treatment in the patients presenting with generalized convulsive seizures. Sporadically, elevations in SGOT [serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase] and LDH [lactate dehydrogenase] were seen; WBC counts < 4000 were reported, but these were not clinically significant.