Clonazepam in the Treatment of Epilepsy. A Clinical Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study

Abstract

Sixty-eight patients with various types of epileptic seizures were treated with clonazepam (Rivotril). In 44 of the 54 patients that could be evaluated, clonazepam was used as a supplement to insufficient previous medication, while 10 patients received clonazepam alone. The mean duration of treatment was 2 yr and 7 mo. Thirty-three patients are still on clonazepam, with a mean duration of treatment of 3 yr and 4 mo. In 34 patients (63%) a reduction of more than 50% was seen in the seizure frequency of the only type or one of several types suffered by a patient. No significant decrease in antiepileptic potency with time was observed. Medication was withdrawn in a total of 21 of the 54 patients because of freedom from seizures (2 patients), lack of effect (7 patients), increased frequency of seizures (3 patients), or lack of cooperation and/or side-effects (3 patients). In 5 patients the durg may have provoked new types of epileptic seizure. This long-term follow-up study seems to substantiate the favorable antiepileptic properties of clonazepam.