Dataset Information

Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: To compare the behavioural side effects associated with two commonly used antiepilepsy drugs-phenobarbital and carbamazepine-in children in Bangladesh.Prospective randomised controlled single centre trial.Specialist children's hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.108 children aged 2-15 with generalised tonic-clonic (n=51) or partial and secondary generalised seizures (n=57).Seizure control and behavioural side effects.91 children were followed up for 12 months. Six required a change of antiepilepsy drug. Side effects were compared in 85 children. In the last quarter of the 12 month follow-up, 71 children were seizure free after one year's treatment. Thirty two in the phenobarbital group and 39 in the carbamazepine group had no seizures in 74 and 102 days after randomisation, respectively. Ten children had increased behavioural problems, which were unacceptable in four (one in the phenobarbital group and three in the carbamazepine group). Independent t tests, however, showed no difference between the two trial drugs.There was no excess in behavioural side effects with phenobarbital in children with epilepsy in a country with limited resources. Trial registration NCT00381537.

SUBMITTER: Banu SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1889987 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial.

Banu Selina H SH Jahan Moshrat M Koli Umme Kulsum UK Ferdousi Saadia S Khan Naila Z NZ Neville Brian B

BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 20061204 7605

<h4>Objective</h4>To compare the behavioural side effects associated with two commonly used antiepilepsy drugs-phenobarbital and carbamazepine-in children in Bangladesh.<h4>Design</h4>Prospective randomised controlled single centre trial.<h4>Setting</h4>Specialist children's hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.<h4>Participants</h4>108 children aged 2-15 with generalised tonic-clonic (n=51) or partial and secondary generalised seizures (n=57).<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>Seizure control and behavioura ...[more]

PMID: 17145735

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Project description:Phenobarbital remains one of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs worldwide, yet there are limited data regarding side effects associated with its use in routine clinical care settings in low-income countries. Available data suggests that phenobarbital is as effective as other first-line drugs for treating tonic-clonic seizures, but side effect reports differ widely between high and low-income settings. A better understanding of phenobarbital side effect profile and severity in low-income settings is warranted given its role in efforts to decrease the epilepsy treatment gap. We used the Liverpool adverse events profile (LEAP) to assess side effects in consecutive patients with epilepsy on phenobarbital seeking care in rural Zambia. Data regarding age, gender, medication dose, and medication adherence were also collected. T-tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used to assess predictors of LEAP score and medication adherence. Thirty-five patients receiving a mean dose of 2.1mg/kg/day (SD: 2.78 mg/kg/day) of phenobarbital were assessed. All participants reported at least one side effect in the previous four weeks with a median of 6 symptoms (IQR: 4-8) and a mean side effects score of 28/76 (SD: 5.38). Over half reported sleepiness and dizziness. Memory problems and depression were also common (both 46%). Total LAEP score was not associated with age (p=0.88), gender (p=0.17), or phenobarbital dose (p=0.13). Medication adherence was not associated with side effects total score (p=0.56). Rural Zambian adults taking phenobarbital at doses recommended by the World Health Organization report a significant number of side effects. The most common side effects reported were similar to those reported in high-income countries. The significant burden of phenobarbital-associated side effects in this African cohort is in contrast to data from non-randomized clinical trials in China that reported phenobarbital to be well-tolerated with few side effects. Additional investigations regarding phenobarbital side effects during routine care in low income settings is warranted.

Dataset Information

Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial.

Publications

Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial.

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