On the use of tranquillisers in epilepsy

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.