Some observations on treatment of institutional epileptics with dilantin

Summary

A group of 33 psychotic patients with longstanding convulsive disorders was treated with dilantin sodium over a period of eight to ten months in an effort to determine the efficacy of this drug in controlling seizures and in favorably influencing general mental condition. Eight patients had to be discontinued permanently during the first two months because of unfavorable mental and emotional response; treatment was terminated in one patient because of marked increase in blood pressure; one patient died as a result of status epilepticus. Of the remaining 23 patients, 68 per cent showed improvement in the frequency and severity of their seizures but less than half of this improved group enjoyed any concomitant improvement in their mental or emotional status. Purely organic toxic reactions followed the expected pattern.