Treatment of osteomalacia in institutionalized epileptic patients on long-term anticonvulsant therapy.

The efficacy of vitamin D2 in the dose of 2000 IU daily in reversing anticonvulsant osteomalacia was studied in nine epileptic inpatients. The treatment with vitamin D2 was associated with increased serum 25-hydroxycalciferol and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations and partial healing of osteomalacic changes in the cancellous bone of the iliac crest. But it was concluded that the dose of vitamin D2, 2000 IU daily, was too small and that calcium supplementation may be needed in addition to vitamin D therapy.