Clobazam was compared with placebo as antiepileptic adjunct medication in 129 therapy-resistant epileptic patients who were mainly suffering from complex partial seizures. The study was performed in five European countries according to a double-blind crossover design lasting 7 months. Two treatment periods of 3 months (1 month adjustment and 2 months maintenance medication) were separated by one medication switch-over month. The difference in seizure reduction between clobazam and placebo was significant (p less than 0.05). Nineteen percent of patients receiving clobazam became seizure-free during the maintenance dose period. In contrast, freedom from seizures was not observed in any placebo patient. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signs, mood ratings, and global impressions also indicated therapeutic effects of clobazam in epilepsy. The most frequent adverse reactions to clobazam were drowsiness and dizziness. However, the sedative effects of clobazam seemed to be less pronounced in comparison with other benzodiazepines. The study gives evidence of the therapeutic value of clobazam as adjunct medication in therapy-resistant partial seizures. The use of clobazam as monotherapy and long-term treatment, as well as the particular seizure response pattern to clobazam, has to be further investigated.
1 Clobazam was compared with placebo and diazepam in 45 double‐blind studies. 2 Clobazam dosage ranged from 5 mg daily (paediatric patients) to 120 mg daily (psychiatric in‐patients). Usual daily dosage in out‐ patient therapy ranged from 20‐30 mg clobazam. 3 Treatment duration varied from a few days up to 3.5 years. The usual duration of treatment was 2‐4 weeks. 4 Clobazam was shown to be an efficacious and well tolerated anxiolytic agent in various neurotic and psychosomatic disorders. 5 Dosages showing distinct anxiolytic effects in out‐patient therapy did not impair psychomotor performance.
Medicinal leech therapy is used in a variety of conditions; most of which have pain as a major symptom. Its mode of action relies on the injection of leech saliva into patients' tissues during the process of blood withdrawal. Leech saliva contains active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, anti-coagulant and blood- and lymph-circulation enhancing properties. A specific analgesic substance within the leech saliva is yet to be identified. Pain relief from leech therapy is rapid, effective and long-lasting in many conditions. This review compiles studies and case reports that provide clinical evidence for leech therapy's analgesic effects.
The pharmacokinetic interaction between clobazam and cimetidine was studied in 9 healthy male volunteers in an open-labelled study. After a single oral dose of clobazam 30 mg, a wash-out period of 14 days was followed by daily doses of cimetidine 1 g for one week. Thereafter a single oral dose of clobazam 30 mg was again given. The plasma concentrations of clobazam and its main metabolite N-desmethyl-clobazam were measured by gas-chromatography. The area under the curve (AUC0-infinity) of plasma clobazam level was significantly larger after pretreatment with cimetidine and the elimination half life of clobazam was significantly longer. There were no statistically significant differences in Cmax and tmax for plasma clobazam. The plasma levels of N-desmethyl-clobazam did not show any significant change after the intake of cimetidine.
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