EVALUATION OF CONTINUED THERAPY WITH PHENYTOIN SODIUM

The total results of all groups comprising the follow-up study of the initial group plus the follow-up study of the new group may be summarized as follows: Of 93 patients receiving phenobarbital (1½-10 grs.) for 5-44 months there was marked reduction of seizures in 15 per cent (14); moderate reduction in 20.4 per cent (19); and no reduction in 64.5 per cent (6o). Of 41 patients receiving phenytoin (1½-9 grs.) for 3-33 months there was marked reduction of seizures in 39 per cent (16); moderate reduction in 24.3 per cent (10); and no reduction in 36.5 per cent (15). Of 104 patients receiving phenobarbital combined with phenytoin there was marked reduction of seizures in 28.8 per cent (30); moderate reduction in 21.1 per cent (22); no reduction in 49.9 per cent (52). Analysis of the anticonvulsant effect obtained in 145 patients receiving phenytoin sodium, either alone or combined with phenobarbital during a period of 3-41 months, revealed marked reduction of seizures in 31.7 per cent; moderate reduction in 22 per cent; and poor results in 46.2 per cent. Although several patients were seizure-free for 4-26 consecutive months, these seizure-free intervals were interspersed with recurrence of seizures for at least one to several months, except in one case seizure-free for 38 consecutive months on a combination of 3 grains of phenytoin sodium and 1 grain of phenobarbital. Toxic reactions are discussed.