Slow release carbamazepine in treatment of poorly controlled seizures

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 65; no. 9; pp. 930 - 935
• Main Authors: Ryan, S W, Forsythe, I, Hartley, R, Haworth, M, Bowmer, C J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.09.1990; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adverse and side effects; Anticonvulsants. Antiepileptics. Antiparkinson agents; Biological and medical sciences; Carbamazepine; Carbamazepine - administration & dosage; Carbamazepine - adverse effects; Carbamazepine - blood; Carbamazepine - therapeutic use; Child; Child, Preschool; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dosage and administration; Drug therapy; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - blood; Epilepsy - prevention & control; Epilepsy in children; Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pediatric epilepsy; Pediatrics; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Seizures; Human; Therapeutic efficiency; Chemotherapy; Nervous system diseases; Controlled release form; Epilepsy; Anticonvulsant; Pharmacokinetics; Child
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.65.9.930

Thirty three children with poorly controlled epilepsy, and six new patients, were treated with slow release carbamazepine. Twelve of the former had a reduction in the number of seizures of more than half, and 10 had fewer side effects. Three of the new patients stopped having seizures. Variations in plasma concentrations between doses was significantly less when patients took the slow release preparation (22%) compared with the standard preparation (41%). Slow release carbamazepine may improve the conditions of children whose seizures are poorly controlled.