[The efficacy of depakin in treatment-resistant epilepsy]

A study was made of the effect of the antiepileptic drug depakin (convulex). Depakin was combined with antiepileptic drugs used by the patients. As a rule, the dose of the latter drugs was reduced. Out of 108 patients, depakin was discontinued in 14 because of side effects. Out of the remaining 94 patients, excellent and positive results were obtained in 1/3 of the cases. The maximum effect was attained in myoclonic epilepsy of adolescent and juvenile age and in photogenic epilepsy, whereas the minimum effect was reached in infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The results appeared better in patients with a disease onset at an age of 6 to 16 years. The results become worse with increase of the disease standing.