CenTrial Logo

Evaluating Valproic Acid's Effectiveness for Epileptic Seizures

by


Clinical trial evaluates Valproic acid in treating severe epileptic seizures

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a severe medical emergency characterized by continuous seizures lasting more than five minutes or recurring seizures without full recovery in between. It can cause loss of consciousness, violent muscle contractions, and difficulty breathing. GCSE can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Treatment includes administering medications, such as benzodiazepines, to stop the seizures and support the person's breathing and circulation. Prompt intervention is crucial to prevent brain damage and complications. If someone experiences symptoms of GCSE, it is essential to call for emergency help immediately.

Although the current stepwise approach of using benzodiazepines followed by a second-line anti-seizure medicine (ASM) for treatment is widely practiced, many patients still experience uncontrolled seizures and suffer from prolonged hospital stays, disability, and even mortality.

Clinical Trial

clinical trial determined if adding valproic acid (VPA) as a complementary treatment to the stepwise strategy could improve outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed GCSE. The trial involved 244 adults admitted to intensive care units for GCSE in 16 hospitals between 2013 and 2018. Patients received standard care of benzodiazepines and a second-line ASM, except for VPA. The intervention group received a loading dose of 30 mg/kg of VPA and a 1 mg/kg/h infusion for 12 hours. The placebo group received an identical intravenous saline administration as a bolus and continuous infusion. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients discharged from the hospital by day 15. Secondary outcomes included seizure control, adverse events, and cognition at day 90.

Results

There was no significant difference between the VPA and placebo groups regarding patients discharged from the hospital by day 15. Both groups had a similar proportion of patients discharged. Additionally, the two groups had no significant differences in seizure control, adverse events, or cognition.

Are you interested in clinical trials near you?

You can receive free notification of a trial for this, or any other condition, by completing a short confidential health profile.
Find a clinical trial near me

Conclusion

Adding VPA to the recommended treatment strategy for adult GCSE was well-tolerated by patients but did not increase the proportion of patients discharged from the hospital by day 15. While this study did not find significant benefits of VPA in improving outcomes for GCSE patients, further research and more extensive trials may be needed to explore alternative treatment approaches for this life-threatening condition.
__________



Share this article with a friend:
     


Get emailed clinical trial results in the categories of your choice:
Free subscription to clinical trial results

20,000 clinical trials are seeking participants.
Signup and be matched to trials near you
This free service will notify you of current and future clinical trial matches.


This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. CenTrial Data Ltd. does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Treatments and clinical trials mentioned may not be appropriate or available for all trial participants. Outcomes from treatments and clinical trials may vary from person to person. Consult with your doctor as to whether a clinical trial is a suitable option for your condition. Assistance from generative AI tools may have been used in writing this article.