Biomaterial Database

Hemifacial spasm: successful treatment with felbamate. 1995

G A Mellick

American Pain Specialists, Inc., Lakeland Medical Center, Lorain, Ohio 44053, USA.

Medical treatment of hemifacial spasm has generally been ineffectual. This report describes a 36-year-old man with a 7-year history of right hemifacial spasm who responded to felbamate (Felbatol) at doses of 1800-2800 mg per day. During treatment, he was able to achieve complete control of all spontaneous facial muscle spasms at rest. Activated hemifacial spasms, initiated by chewing, speaking, smiling, or grimacing were reduced in frequency and intensity of contraction by 40%-50%. Spontaneous worsening of the hemifacial spasms occurred at a dose of 3600 mg/day. Control of the hemifacial spasm was regained at a lower dose. This is the first reported use of felbamate for the control of hemifacial spasm. Microvascular decompression of the facial nerve has been the only known effective treatment for this condition. Successful felbamate therapy would provide an alternative to those patients for whom surgery is not a treatment option.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011409	Propylene Glycols	Derivatives of propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol). They are used as humectants and solvents in pharmaceutical preparations.	Propanediols,Glycols, Propylene
D005152	Facial Muscles	Muscles of facial expression or mimetic muscles that include the numerous muscles supplied by the facial nerve that are attached to and move the skin of the face. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Mimetic Muscles,Facial Muscle,Mimetic Muscle,Muscle, Facial,Muscle, Mimetic,Muscles, Facial,Muscles, Mimetic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000078328	Felbamate	A PEGylated phenylcarbamate derivative that acts as an antagonist of NMDA RECEPTORS. It is used as an anticonvulsant, primarily for the treatment of SEIZURES in severe refractory EPILEPSY.	(3-Carbamoyloxy-2-phenyl-propyl) carbamate,2-Phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate,ADD-03055,Felbamyl,Felbatol,Taloxa,W-554,2 Phenyl 1,3 propanediol dicarbamate,ADD 03055,ADD03055,W 554,W554
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
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
D013035	Spasm	An involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Spasms may involve SKELETAL MUSCLE or SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Muscle Spasm,Muscular Spasm,Spasm, Ciliary Body,Spasm, Generalized,Ciliary Body Spasm,Ciliary Body Spasms,Generalized Spasm,Generalized Spasms,Muscle Spasms,Muscular Spasms,Spasm, Muscle,Spasm, Muscular,Spasms,Spasms, Ciliary Body,Spasms, Generalized,Spasms, Muscle,Spasms, Muscular
D016896	Treatment Outcome	Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series.	Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D048448	Phenylcarbamates	Phenyl esters of carbamic acid or of N-substituted carbamic acids. Structures are similar to PHENYLUREA COMPOUNDS with a carbamate in place of the urea.	Phenyl-Carbamates,Phenyl Carbamates