Valproate Sodium for Post Traumatic Seizures Prophylaxis
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Valproate Sodium as a treatment to prevent seizures in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event.
phenytoin
+ valproate sodium
Brain Diseases+14
+ Brain Injuries
+ Central Nervous System Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: February 1, 1991
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double blind trial involving 3 treatment groups. On day 1, controls receive phenytoin IV over 1 hour. On days 2 through 7, controls receive 2 doses each of phenytoin and placebo daily, intravenously. From day 8 through 6 months, controls receive placebo IV 4 times daily, then placebo tablets are administered. On day 1, the experimental group receives a loading dose of valproate sodium intravenously over 1 hour within 24 hours of injury. Then, patients are divided into 2 subgroups. From day 2 through 1 month, one group of patients receives valproate IV 4 times daily over 1 hour until tablets are tolerated. Patients receive placebo tablets by mouth 4 times daily from month 2 through month 6. On day 2, the other group of patients receives valproate IV 4 times daily and continues for 6 months until tablets (same dose) are tolerated. If patients remain seizure free between day 8 and 6 months, the number of valproate or placebo tablets are tapered over 1 week. Each patient receives a full neuropsychological and psychosocial examination at 1, 6, and 12 months after injury. Untreated observation of patients continues until 2 years after injury.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.385 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Any sex
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Over 14 Years
Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Any patient developing the following conditions within 24 hour postinjury: Cortical contusion Depressed skull fracture Subdural hematoma Epidural hematoma Intracerebral hematoma Penetrating head wound Seizures occurring subsequent to head injury --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- No antiseizure medication prior to injury or between the injury and study drug loading Surgery: No prior neurosurgical operation for which the skull and dura mater were opened --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 14 and over Hematopoietic: No abnormal coagulation profile Hepatic: No history of chronic or alcoholic liver disease Adequate liver function as indicated by ALT less than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal Other: Not pregnant No injuries greater than 24 hours old No history of seizures prior to injury No prior history of significant head injury or neurological condition requiring medical attention