Clobazam: A Safe, Efficacious, and Newly Rediscovered Therapeutic for Epilepsy.

Article Details

Citation

Gauthier AC, Mattson RH

Clobazam: A Safe, Efficacious, and Newly Rediscovered Therapeutic for Epilepsy.

CNS Neurosci Ther. 2015 Jul;21(7):543-8. doi: 10.1111/cns.12399. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

PubMed ID
25917225 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Clobazam is an oral 1,5-benzodiazepine used worldwide for the treatment of many types of epilepsies, although it is currently only approved for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in the USA. This anticonvulsant and anxiolytic therapeutic has repeatedly demonstrated great efficacy and a high safety profile in refractory epilepsy as well as in a few monotherapy trials in both children and adults. Clobazam allosterically activates the GABAA receptor, and it binds less to subunits that mediate sedative effects than other benzodiazepines. It acts quickly, maintaining a therapeutic effect for a long duration due to its active metabolite, N-desmethylclobazam. Dosage is between 5 mg and 40 mg a day, depending on patient weight, efficacy, and tolerability. Efficacy tolerance has not been a problem in the best studies. Clobazam has provided many benefits to epileptic patients. It should be used by clinicians early as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of refractory epilepsy and even considered as monotherapy in a broad spectrum of epilepsy syndromes.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
1,2-Benzodiazepine
Clobazam
The risk or severity of sedation, somnolence, and CNS depression can be increased when Clobazam is combined with 1,2-Benzodiazepine.
Acetazolamide
Clobazam
The risk or severity of sedation, somnolence, and CNS depression can be increased when Clobazam is combined with Acetazolamide.
Acetophenazine
Clobazam
The risk or severity of sedation, somnolence, and CNS depression can be increased when Clobazam is combined with Acetophenazine.
Agomelatine
Clobazam
The risk or severity of sedation, somnolence, and CNS depression can be increased when Clobazam is combined with Agomelatine.
Alfentanil
Clobazam
The risk or severity of respiratory depression can be increased when Clobazam is combined with Alfentanil.