On the anticonvulsant and psychotropic properties of clobazam--a preliminary study.

Preliminary studies of patients who had brain damage, intractable epilepsy, and mental subnormality showed that clobazam in small doses (20 to 30 mg/day) was beneficial, and indicated that a more detailed investigation was worthwhile. In this study, 30 patients were followed up for at least 18 months in a continuing open-ended study. Fit frequency was found to be markedly reduced, few side effects have occurred, and the visual analogue scales and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire have shown improvement. "Breakthrough" has not been a problem at the dose level of 20 to 30 mg/day when given in addition to conventional anticonvulsant regimes, usually carbamazepine, phenytoin, or valproate. In the meanwhile, other psychosocial problems (for example, employment and marital problems) have improved. It therefore seems that clobazam is a useful additional drug in conventional anticonvulsant regimes.