A double-blind study comparing carbamazepine with phenytoin as initial seizure therapy in adults

Neurology. 1983 Jul;33(7):904-10. doi: 10.1212/wnl.33.7.904.

Abstract

Carbamazepine was compared with phenytoin in a double-blind study. Of 87 patients, data on 70 patients were complete and used for analysis. Thirty-five patients were treated with each drug. The incidence of major side effects, minor side effects, and complete control (85%) was the same in both groups. A mild but significant elevation of WBC count was found before initiation of drug treatment in the patients presenting with generalized convulsive seizures. Sporadically, elevations in SGOT and LDH were seen; WBC counts below 4,000 were reported, but these were not clinically significant.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage*
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenytoin / administration & dosage*
  • Phenytoin / adverse effects
  • Seizures / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Carbamazepine
  • Phenytoin