Treatment of hypsarhythmia and infantile spasms with a Librium® analogue

Abstract

Twenty-two patients with hypsarhythmia which persisted after treatment with ACTH [adrenocorticotropic hormone] and with frequent spasms which could not be controlled by other medication were treated with Ro 5-3059 [1,3-dihydro-7-nitro-5-phenyl-2H-12,4-benzodiazepin-2-one] a Librium analogue. The dosage ranged from 5 to 20 rag.; the highest effective dose was 20 mg. In 20 patients (91%), spasms were greatly reduced or entirely eliminated. The effect was prompt, occurring shortly after ingestionof the first pill. In 14 children, grand mal seizures were increased by Ro 5-3059. In 6 patients, major convulsions could not be controlled with additional medication and Ro 5-3059 had to be discontinued, but in 8 convulsions were satisfactorily controlled and overall condition of patients was markedly improved. Mental retardation was not significantly altered. Studies of kidney, liver, and blood showed no significant alterations.