[Anti-epileptic and side effects of Didepil]

The action of the new antiepileptic preparation Didepil which is a combination of the anticholinergic agent procyclidine (dl-1-cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrolidinopropane-1-ol hydrochloride) with phenobarbitone was evaluated in a group of 20 patients of either sex, mean age 28.5 years. These patients had mostly (14 cases) two types of seizures occurring up to several times daily. The mean duration of epilepsy was 12.5 years, the aetiology of the disease was different, and the patients were usually refractory to previously used drugs. Didepil was administered during 3 months, on the average, in doses of 3--4 tablets daily as the only antiepileptic drug or in combination with other anticonvulsants. The duration of follow-up of the patients before, during and after treatment was from 6 to 15 months. In each repeated EEG investigations, biochemical investigation of the blood, liver function tests, and urine analysis were performed.

improvement was observed in cases of grand mal as well as temporal lobe seizures in 70% of patients, EEG improvement was found in 50% of patients. Side effects including oral dryness, accomodation disturbances developed in 17 patients but were usually slight and transient, in only 4 cases they were sufficiently severe as to justify reduction of dosage. Improvement of mood and contact with surroundings was noted in 60% of cases.

Didepil seems to be an effective antiepileptic agent in maximal generalized seizures as well as in temporal lobe seizures.