Biomaterial Database

On the use of tranquillisers in epilepsy. 2002

Michael R Trimble

Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology, London, UK. proftrimble@compuserve.com

In this article, the use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) in epilepsy is reviewed. In particular, it concentrates on the use of oral BZDs, and, following a brief discussion as to their value in psychiatric disorders generally, their more specific use in epilepsy is then noted. The main oral drugs are the 1,4BZDs and 1,5-BZDs. The latter is represented only by clobazam (CLB), and the advantages of the 1,5-BZDs over the 1,4-BZDs are reviewed. It is concluded that CLB has a significant value in a number of situations. It is a first-line add-on therapy when standard medications have failed. It is useful in patients that have catamenial seizures, clusters of seizures, and also in the prevention of postictal syndromes. It is used in childhood epilepsy, and is also helpful in the management of febrile seizures.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D004827	Epilepsy	A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)	Aura,Awakening Epilepsy,Seizure Disorder,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Auras,Cryptogenic Epilepsies,Cryptogenic Epilepsy,Epilepsies,Epilepsies, Cryptogenic,Epilepsy, Awakening,Seizure Disorders
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000078306	Clobazam	A benzodiazepine derivative that is a long-acting GABA-A RECEPTOR agonist. It is used as an antiepileptic in the treatment of SEIZURES, including seizures associated with LENNOX-GASTAUT SYNDROME. It is also used as an anxiolytic, for the short-term treatment of acute ANXIETY.	1-Phenyl-5-methyl-8-chloro-1,2,4,5- tetrahydro-2,4-diketo-3H-1,5-benzodiazepine,Frisium,HR 376,LM-2717,Onfi,Urbanyl,LM 2717,LM2717
D000927	Anticonvulsants	Drugs used to prevent SEIZURES or reduce their severity.	Anticonvulsant,Anticonvulsant Drug,Anticonvulsive Agent,Anticonvulsive Drug,Antiepileptic,Antiepileptic Agent,Antiepileptic Agents,Antiepileptic Drug,Anticonvulsant Drugs,Anticonvulsive Agents,Anticonvulsive Drugs,Antiepileptic Drugs,Antiepileptics,Agent, Anticonvulsive,Agent, Antiepileptic,Agents, Anticonvulsive,Agents, Antiepileptic,Drug, Anticonvulsant,Drug, Anticonvulsive,Drug, Antiepileptic,Drugs, Anticonvulsant,Drugs, Anticonvulsive,Drugs, Antiepileptic
D001569	Benzodiazepines	A group of two-ring heterocyclic compounds consisting of a benzene ring fused to a diazepine ring.	Benzodiazepine,Benzodiazepine Compounds
D014149	Tranquilizing Agents	A traditional grouping of drugs said to have a soothing or calming effect on mood, thought, or behavior. Included here are the ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS (minor tranquilizers), ANTIMANIC AGENTS, and the ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS (major tranquilizers). These drugs act by different mechanisms and are used for different therapeutic purposes.	Ataractics,Tranquilizing Drugs,Tranquilizing Effect,Tranquilizing Effects,Tranquillizing Agents,Tranquillizing Drugs,Agents, Tranquilizing,Agents, Tranquillizing,Drugs, Tranquilizing,Drugs, Tranquillizing,Effect, Tranquilizing,Effects, Tranquilizing
D014151	Anti-Anxiety Agents	Agents that alleviate ANXIETY, tension, and ANXIETY DISORDERS, promote sedation, and have a calming effect without affecting clarity of consciousness or neurologic conditions. ADRENERGIC BETA-ANTAGONISTS are commonly used in the symptomatic treatment of anxiety but are not included here.	Anti-Anxiety Agent,Anti-Anxiety Drug,Anxiolytic,Anxiolytic Agent,Anxiolytic Agents,Tranquilizing Agents, Minor,Anti-Anxiety Drugs,Anti-Anxiety Effect,Anti-Anxiety Effects,Antianxiety Effect,Antianxiety Effects,Anxiolytic Effect,Anxiolytic Effects,Anxiolytics,Tranquillizing Agents, Minor,Agent, Anti-Anxiety,Agent, Anxiolytic,Agents, Anti-Anxiety,Agents, Anxiolytic,Agents, Minor Tranquilizing,Agents, Minor Tranquillizing,Anti Anxiety Agent,Anti Anxiety Agents,Anti Anxiety Drug,Anti Anxiety Drugs,Anti Anxiety Effect,Anti Anxiety Effects,Drug, Anti-Anxiety,Drugs, Anti-Anxiety,Effect, Anti-Anxiety,Effect, Antianxiety,Effect, Anxiolytic,Effects, Anti-Anxiety,Effects, Antianxiety,Effects, Anxiolytic,Minor Tranquilizing Agents,Minor Tranquillizing Agents