Clobazam as an add-on therapy of patients with drug resistant epilepsy: Experience of a tertiary epilepsy center

• Published in: Archives of Epilepsy Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 155 - 160
• Main Author: Sirin, Nermin Gorkem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istanbul Aves Yayincilik Ltd. STI 01.01.2020; Galenos Yayinevi
• Subjects: antiepileptic drug; clobazam; Convulsions & seizures; Drug resistance; drug-resistant epilepsy; Epilepsy; medically refractory
• ISSN: 1300-7157; 2792-0550; 2792-0550
• DOI: 10.14744/epilepsi.2020.91249

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study aimed to overview the efficacy and side effects of clobazam in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were followed in a tertiary epilepsy center. METHODS: The patients who had been started clobazam as add-on therapy and have been followed for at least one year were recruited to participate in this study. The clinical, electrophysiologic and imaging features of the patients were reviewed. The side effects and efficacy of clobazam were noted. RESULTS: Twelve patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who had focal epilepsy with structural etiology in nine, focal epilepsy with unknown etiology in one, combined focal and generalized epilepsy in one and epilepsy with myoclonic absences in one were included in this study. All patients had at least two antiepileptic drugs with moderate to high doses before clobazam therapy. The side effects were sedation, irritability and blurred vision in three patients. Two patients became seizure-free and seven patients had improved remarkably (≥50% seizure reduction). Only one patient discontinued the drug because of the side effects. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence in the efficacy of clobazam as add-on therapy in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.