Eterobarb therapy in epilepsy.

A group of 27 patients with various types of epilepsy were selected for a 6-month double-blind crossover study to compare the anticonvulsant effect and toxicity of eterobarb and phenobarbital. No statistically significant differences in seizure frequency were found among the 21 patients who completed the 6-month trial, but three others, in whom status epilepticus developed during the crossover from eterobarb to phenobarbital, had to be removed from the trial. The study provided some indication that when eterobarb and phenobarbital were used in high dosage with corresponding high serum barbiturate levels (over 30 mug per milliliter), eterobarb had a superior therapeutic effect. Side effects from both drugs included tiredness, sleepiness, nystagmus, and infrequently ataxia, but serious systemic toxicity did not occur. This study showed that eterobarb is a safe and potent anticonvulsant comparable in efficacy to phenobarbital, and the superior results obtained in some patients with eterobarb therapy indicate that it is an effective alternative anticonvulsant.