Benzodiazepines in epilepsy: pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

GABAergic modulation of visual gamma and alpha oscillations and its consequences for working memory performance

BACKGROUND

Impressive in vitro research in rodents and computational modeling has uncovered the core mechanisms responsible for generating neuronal oscillations. In particular, GABAergic interneurons play a crucial role for synchronizing neural populations. Do these mechanistic principles apply to human oscillations associated with function? To address this, we recorded ongoing brain activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in healthy human subjects participating in a double-blind pharmacological study receiving placebo, 0.5 mg and 1.5 mg of lorazepam (LZP; a benzodiazepine upregulating GABAergic conductance). Participants performed a demanding visuospatial working memory (WM) task.

RESULTS

We found that occipital gamma power associated with WM recognition increased with LZP dosage. Importantly, the frequency of the gamma activity decreased with dosage, as predicted by models derived from the rat hippocampus. A regionally specific gamma increase correlated with the drug-related performance decrease. Despite the system-wide pharmacological intervention, gamma power drug modulations were specific to visual cortex: sensorimotor gamma power and frequency during button presses remained unaffected. In contrast, occipital alpha power modulations during the delay interval decreased parametrically with drug dosage, predicting performance impairment. Consistent with alpha oscillations reflecting functional inhibition, LZP affected alpha power strongly in early visual regions not required for the task demonstrating a regional specific occipital impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

GABAergic interneurons are strongly implicated in the generation of gamma and alpha oscillations in human occipital cortex where drug-induced power modulations predicted WM performance. Our findings bring us an important step closer to linking neuronal dynamics to behavior by embracing established animal models.

Parenteral midazolam is superior to diazepam for treatment of prehospital seizures

INTRODUCTION

Diazepam and midazolam are commonly used by paramedics to treat seizures. A period of drug scarcity was used as an opportunity to compare their effectiveness in treating prehospital seizures.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of a single, large, commercial agency during a 29-month period was performed. The period included alternating shortages of both medications. Ambulances were stocked with either diazepam or midazolam based on availability of the drugs. Adult patients who received at least 1 parenteral dose of diazepam or midazolam for treatment of seizures were included. The regional prehospital protocol recommended 5 mg intravenous (IV) diazepam, 5 mg intramuscular (IM) diazepam, 5 mg IM midazolam, or 2.5 mg IV midazolam. Medication effectiveness was compared with respect to the primary end point: cessation of seizure without repeat seizure during the prehospital encounter.

RESULTS

A total of 440 study subjects received 577 administrations of diazepam or midazolam and met the study criteria. The subjects were 52% male, with a mean age of 48 (range 18-94) years. A total of 237 subjects received 329 doses of diazepam, 64 (27%) were treated with first-dose IM. A total of 203 subjects received 248 doses of midazolam; 71 (35%) were treated with first-dose IM. Seizure stopped and did not recur in 49% of subjects after parenteral diazepam and 65% of subjects after parenteral midazolam (p = 0.002). Diazepam and midazolam exhibited similar first dose success for IV administration (58 vs. 62%; p = 0.294). Age, gender, seizure history, hypoglycemia, the presence of trauma, time to first administration, prehospital contact time, and frequency of IM administration were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

For parenteral administration, midazolam demonstrated superior first-dose seizure suppression. This study demonstrates how periods of drug scarcity can be utilized to study prehospital medication effectiveness.

Analytical methods for determination of benzodiazepines. A short review

Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are generally commonly used as anxiolytic and/or hypnotic drugs as a ligand of the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor. Moreover, some of benzodiazepines are widely used as an anti-depressive and sedative drugs, and also as anti-epileptic drugs and in some cases can be useful as an adjunct treatment in refractory epilepsies or anti-alcoholic therapy. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods, gas chromatography (GC) methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods and some of spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods were developed and have been extensively applied to the analysis of number of benzodiazepine derivative drugs (BDZs) providing reliable and accurate results. The available chemical methods for the determination of BDZs in biological materials and pharmaceutical formulations are reviewed in this work.

Dosing feasibility and tolerability of intranasal diazepam in adults with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility of administering a diazepam nasal spray formulation (diazepam-NS) to adults with epilepsy during a generalized tonic-clonic seizure or in the postictal period following a tonic-clonic or other seizure type, to assess pharmacokinetics and to assess tolerability.

METHODS

An open-label study was conducted in patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit. Eligible patients received a single dose of diazepam-NS approximating 0.2 mg/kg. Plasma diazepam concentrations were measured serially up to 12 h postdose, and maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax ); time to maximum concentration (Tmax ); and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve for time zero to last sampling time (AUC0-12 ) were estimated and dose-normalized. Pharmacodynamic assessments included Kaplan-Meier analysis to determine the time-to-next seizure. Safety and tolerability were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 78 patients who consented, 30 had treatment and pharmacokinetic data. Ten patients were treated during a convulsive tonic-clonic seizure, seven within 5 min following the last clonic jerk, and 13 in the postictal period ≥ 5 min after a tonic-clonic or following other seizure-types. Diazepam median Tmax was 45 min. Dose-normalized mean Cmax and AUC0-12 values of diazepam were comparable among patients regardless of the timing of diazepam-NS administration in relation to seizure. Of those treated, 65% were seizure-free during the 12-h observation period and 35% had post-dose seizures. Treatment was well tolerated, with no unexpected safety findings: 74% had mild and 25% had moderate adverse events. Nasopharyngeal signs were resolved by 12 h postdose.

SIGNIFICANCE

Diazepam can be delivered in effective therapeutic concentrations by a nasal spray device during the convulsive phase of tonic-clonic seizures or in the postictal periods following tonic-clonic or other seizure types.

Withdrawal-related adverse events from clinical trials of clobazam in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

To assess withdrawal-related adverse event (AE) rates following abrupt clobazam discontinuation in Phase I trials and gradual clobazam tapering (2-3 weeks) following discontinuation from III trials met the criteria for potential/III trials, we evaluated AE data from four multiple-dosage Phase I trials (duration: 8-34 days). Therapeutic (20 and 40 mg/day) and supratherapeutic clobazam dosages (120 and 160 mg/day) were administered. Adverse events (AEs) were also assessed for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome enrolled in Phase II (OV-1002) and Phase III (OV-1012) studies (duration ≤15 weeks) and in the open-label extension (OLE) trial OV-1004 (≤5 years). Potential withdrawal-related AEs were identified by preferred terms, provided that the AEs occurred ≥1 day following and ≤30 days after the last clobazam doses, or were deemed withdrawal symptoms by investigators. Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Benzodiazepines (CIWA-B) scale was used to evaluate withdrawal intensity in three of the four Phase I trials. A total of 207 participants in Phase I trials received steady-state clobazam dosages of 20-160 mg/day, 182 received clobazam dosages of ≥40 mg/day, and 94 received clobazam dosages of ≥120 mg/day. Abrupt clobazam discontinuation led to 193 withdrawal-related AEs for 68 Phase I participants. Nearly 50% of AEs occurred after discontinuation of clobazam dosages of ≥120 mg/day. Adverse events were mild or moderate and included headache (14% of Phase I participants), insomnia (12.6%), tremor (10.1%), and anxiety (8.7%). The CIWA-B scores varied (range: 0-59). Most scores were <30, indicating possible mild benzodiazepine withdrawal. III trials met the criteria for potential/III patients received clobazam dosages of ≤40 mg/day, and those in the OLE trial received clobazam dosages of ≤80 mg/day. Eighty-seven patients discontinued clobazam and were gradually tapered. No withdrawal-related AEs or incidences of status epilepticus were reported. Withdrawal-related AEs observed in Phase I studies following abrupt clobazam discontinuation at therapeutic and supratherapeutic dosages were generally mild. No withdrawal-related AEs occurred when dosages were tapered over 3 weeks, after short- or long-term clobazam use (≤5 years).

Factors influencing response to intravenous lacosamide in emergency situations: LACO-IV study

Status epilepticus (SE) and acute repetitive seizures (ARSs) frequently result in emergency visits. Wide variations in response are seen with standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Oral and intravenous (IV) formulations of lacosamide are approved as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults and adolescents. The aim of the retrospective multicenter observational study (LACO-IV) was to analyze data from a large cohort of patients with SE or ARSs of varying severity and etiology, who received IV lacosamide in the emergency setting. Patient clinical data were entered into a database; lacosamide use and efficacy and tolerability variables were analyzed. In SE, IV lacosamide tended to be used mainly in nonconvulsive status epilepticus as second- or third-line treatment. The proportion of patients with no seizures when IV lacosamide was the last drug administered was 76.5% (70.9% SE and 83.7% ARSs). The rate of seizure cessation ≤ 24 h after IV lacosamide administration was 57.1% (49.1% SE and 67.4% ARSs). Of the factors analyzed, a shorter latency from seizure onset to IV lacosamide infusion influenced treatment response significantly. A nonsignificant tendency towards a higher response was seen with lacosamide dose >200mg versus ≤ 200 mg. Analysis of response according to mechanism of action showed no significant differences in response to IV lacosamide in patients receiving prior sodium channel blocker (SCB) or non-SCB AEDs in the overall or SE population; however, in ARSs, a tendency towards a higher response was observed in those receiving non-SCB AEDs. The frequency and nature of adverse events observed were in line with those reported in other studies (somnolence being the most frequent). In the absence of randomized prospective controlled studies of IV lacosamide, our observations suggest that IV lacosamide may be a potential alternative for treatment of SE/ARSs when seizures fail to improve with standard AEDs or when AEDs are contraindicated or not recommended.

Isoliquiritigenin, a chalcone compound, enhances spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic response

Isoliquiritigenin (ILTG) is a chalcone compound and shows various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In recent study, we have reported a novel role of ILTG in sleep through a positive allosteric modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A)-benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors. However, the effect of ILTG in GABA_AR-mediated synaptic response in brain has not been tested yet. Here we report that ILTG significantly prolonged the decay of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) mediated by GABA_AR in mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons without affecting amplitude and frequency of sIPSCs. This enhancement was fully inhibited by flumazenil (FLU), a specific GABA_A-BZD receptor antagonist. These results suggest a potential role of ILTG as a modulator of GABAergic synaptic transmission.

Methylation of leukocyte DNA and ovarian cancer: relationships with disease status and outcome

Background

Genome-wide interrogation of DNA methylation (DNAm) in blood-derived leukocytes has become feasible with the advent of CpG genotyping arrays. In epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), one report found substantial DNAm differences between cases and controls; however, many of these disease-associated CpGs were attributed to differences in white blood cell type distributions.

Methods

We examined blood-based DNAm in 336 EOC cases and 398 controls; we included only high-quality CpG loci that did not show evidence of association with white blood cell type distributions to evaluate association with case status and overall survival.

Results

Of 13,816 CpGs, no significant associations were observed with survival, although eight CpGs associated with survival at p < 10^-3, including methylation within a CpG island located in the promoter region of GABRE (p = 5.38 x 10^-5, HR = 0.95). In contrast, 53 CpG methylation sites were significantly associated with EOC risk (p <5 x10^-6). The top association was observed for the methylation probe cg04834572 located approximately 315 kb upstream of DUSP13 (p = 1.6 x10^-14). Other disease-associated CpGs included those near or within HHIP (cg14580567; p =5.6x10^-11), HDAC3 (cg10414058; p = 6.3x10^-12), and SCR (cg05498681; p = 4.8x10^-7).

Conclusions

We have identified several CpGs in leukocytes that are differentially methylated by case-control status. Since a retrospective study design was used, we cannot differentiate whether DNAm was etiologic or resulting from EOC; thus, prospective studies of EOC-associated loci are the critical next step.

Mexazolam: clinical efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of anxiety

Introduction

Mexazolam is indicated for the management of anxiety with or without psychoneurotic conditions. In adult patients, the recommended daily dosage of mexazolam is 1–3 mg, administered three times daily. The objective of this article is to review the available information on the benzodiazepine (BZD) mexazolam and its clinical utility in treating patients with anxiety.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched using the keyword “mexazolam” with no date or language restrictions applied to the search. As only 11 papers were retrieved, some previously published manuscripts of interest known by the authors (not indexed on PubMed) have been added for completeness. Relevant information was selected for inclusion by the authors.

Results

A number of early studies demonstrated the ability of mexazolam to reduce anxiety symptoms with few side effects in patients with disorders associated with anxiety. Following on from this preliminary evidence, controlled studies directly comparing mexazolam with other BZDs showed that the drug is more effective than bromazepam and oxazolam, and is at least as effective as alprazolam. A larger, multicenter, phase IV study also showed that mexazolam 2 or 3 mg/day rapidly improved Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores and substantially reduced the frequency and severity of numerous somatic anxiety symptoms in patients with anxiety disorders. With regard to safety, the clinical evidence indicates that mexazolam is generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of drowsiness and sedation. Furthermore, the lack of psychomotor or cognitive performance impairment following mexazolam administration may lead to better treatment compliance.

Conclusion

The available clinical evidence suggests that mexazolam is an effective therapeutic option for the management of anxiety. However, larger, well-controlled clinical trials are needed to directly compare and contrast mexazolam’s efficacy and safety with other BZDs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40120-014-0016-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Interaction between different extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. from Serbia and pentobarbital, diazepam and paracetamol

Herb-drug interactions are an important safety concern and this study was conducted regarding the interaction between the natural top-selling antidepressant remedy Hypericum perforatum (Hypericaceae) and conventional drugs. This study examined the influence of acute pretreatment with different extracts of Hypericum perforatum from Serbia on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, impairment of motor coordination caused by diazepam and paracetamol pharmacokinetics in mice. Ethanolic extract, aqueous extract, infusion, tablet and capsule of Hypericum perforatum were used in this experiment. The profile of Hypericum perforatum extracts as well as paracetamol plasma concentration was determined using RP-HPLC analysis. By quantitative HPLC analysis of active principles, it has been proven that Hypericum perforatum ethanolic extract has the largest content of naphtodianthrones: hypericin (57.77 µg/mL) and pseudohypericin (155.38 µg/mL). Pretreatment with ethanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum potentiated the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital and impairment of motor coordination caused by diazepam to the greatest extent and also increased paracetamol plasma concentration in comparison to the control group. These results were in correlation with naphtodianthrone concentrations. The obtained results have shown a considerable influence of Hypericum perforatum on pentobarbital and diazepam pharmacodynamics and paracetamol pharmacokinetics.

Stable dosages of clobazam for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are associated with sustained drop-seizure and total-seizure improvements over 3 years

Objective

To determine long-term safety and efficacy of adjunctive clobazam for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

Methods

Eligible patients from two randomized controlled trials (Phase II OV-1002 and Phase III OV-1012) were able to enroll in open-label extension (OLE) study OV-1004 beginning in December 2005 and received clobazam until they discontinued (mandatory at 2 years for patients outside the United States) or until study completion in March 2012. Patients in the United States could have received clobazam for 6 years before it became commercially available. Efficacy assessments included changes in rates of drop seizures and total seizures, responder rates (≥50%, ≥75%, or 100% decreases in seizure frequency vs. baseline), sustained efficacy over time, concomitant antiepileptic drug (AED) use, and global evaluations. Safety assessments included exposure to clobazam, laboratory assessments, physical and neurologic examinations, vital sign monitoring, electrocardiography monitoring, and adverse event reporting.

Results

Of 267 patients who enrolled in the OLE, 188 (70%) completed the trial. Two hundred seven patients were from the United States, which was the only country in which patients could be treated with clobazam for >2 years. Forty-four patients were treated with clobazam for 5 years, and 11 for 6 years. Because of the low number of Year 6 patients, this group is not reported separately. Improvements in baseline seizure rates were very stable over the course of the study, with a median 85% decrease in drop seizures at Year 1, 87% at Year 2, 92% at Year 3, 97% at Year 4, and a 91% decrease for patients who had reached Year 5. Similar results were observed for total seizures (79% decrease at both Years 1 and 2, 82% decrease at Year 3, 75% decrease at Year 4, and 85% decrease at Year 5). Responder rates were also stable for the duration of the trial. Of patients who had achieved a ≥50% decrease in median drop-seizure frequency from baseline to Month 3, 86% still had that degree of drop-seizure reduction at Year 3 (and 14% lost their initial responses), and 47% were drop-seizure–free. Most patients who had achieved drop-seizure freedom in the original controlled trials remained drop-seizure–free in the OLE. Based on parents' and physicians' ratings of global evaluations, 80% of patients were “very much improved” or “much improved” after 3 years. Of the 43 patients with concomitant AED data who were treated for 5 years, 30% increased, 19% decreased, and 51% had no change in numbers of AEDs versus their Week 4 regimens. The mean modal clobazam dosage was 0.90 mg/kg/day at Year 1 and 0.97 mg/kg/day at Year 5, suggesting that study patients did not need significant increases in dosage over time. The safety profile was what would be expected for clobazam for LGS patients over a 5-year span, and no new safety concerns developed over time.

Significance

In this largest and longest-running trial in LGS, adjunctive clobazam sustained seizure freedom and substantial seizure improvements at stable dosages through 3 years of therapy in this difficult- to-treat patient population.

Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and constituents

Bacopa monnieri and the constituents of this plant, especially bacosides, possess various neuropharmacological properties. Like drugs, some herbal extracts and the constituents of their extracts alter cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, causing potential herb-drug interactions. The effects of Bacopa monnieri standardized extract and the bacosides from the extract on five major CYP isoforms in vitro were analyzed using a luminescent CYP recombinant human enzyme assay. B. monnieri extract exhibited non-competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 (IC50/Ki = 23.67/9.5 µg/mL), CYP2C9 (36.49/12.5 µg/mL), CYP1A2 (52.20/25.1 µg/mL); competitive inhibition of CYP3A4 (83.95/14.5 µg/mL) and weak inhibition of CYP2D6 (IC50 = 2061.50 µg/mL). However, the bacosides showed negligible inhibition of the same isoforms. B. monnieri, which is orally administered, has a higher concentration in the gut than the liver; therefore, this herb could exhibit stronger inhibition of intestinal CYPs than hepatic CYPs. At an estimated gut concentration of 600 µg/mL (based on a daily dosage of 300 mg/day), B. monnieri reduced the catalytic activities of CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 to less than 10% compared to the total activity (without inhibitor = 100%). These findings suggest that B. monnieri extract could contribute to herb-drug interactions when orally co-administered with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19.

Rectal carbamazepine as effective long-acting treatment after cluster seizures and status epilepticus

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is the gold standard antiepileptic drug (AED) for focal onset seizures. Despite CBZ being the benchmark AED, with readily available therapeutic drug monitoring, patients presenting with recurrent secondarily generalized tonic-clonic (or cluster) seizures or generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus (SE) are primarily treated with other long-acting agents. The aim of the study was to examine the potential use of rectal (PR) CBZ as alternative long-acting treatment to parenteral AEDs following the termination of cluster seizures or SE with acute intravenous therapies. Oral CBZ syrup was given PR using 400-mg equivalent aliquots. Serum CBZ levels were requested after administration to confirm achievement of minimum therapeutic levels (total CBZ>20μmol·L(-1)). Where levels were subtherapeutic, the procedure was repeated using 400-mg CBZ bolus aliquots until therapeutic levels were achieved. Seven patients received PR CBZ to manage cluster seizures or SE following the initial termination of acute seizures with IV therapies including benzodiazepines. Six patients had no prior history of seizures, and 1 patient with a prior history was not taking AED therapy at the time of presentation. All patients subsequently remained seizure-free, and therapeutic CBZ levels were achieved in 6 of the 7 subjects within 5-10h of initial CBZ dosing. In conclusion, the present study reports 7 patients who were safely and effectively treated with PR CBZ, which proved to be a viable and safe alternative to parenteral AEDs for maintenance of seizure freedom.

On-the-road driving performance and driving-related skills in older untreated insomnia patients and chronic users of hypnotics

RATIONALE

Many older adults report sleep problems and use of hypnotics. Several studies have shown that hypnotics can have acute adverse effects on driving the next morning. It is unclear however whether driving of chronic hypnotic users is impaired. Therapeutic effects on insomnia and development of tolerance may reduce the residual effects on driving.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to compare actual driving performance and driving-related skills of chronic hypnotic users to good sleepers. To determine whether insomnia itself affects driving performance, driving and driving-related skills were compared between insomnia patients who do not or infrequently use hypnotics and good sleepers.

METHODS

Twenty-two frequent users of hypnotics (using hypnotics ≥ 4 nights per week for more than 3 months), 20 infrequent users (using hypnotics ≤ 3 nights per week), and 21 healthy, age-matched controls participated in this study. On the night before testing, all subjects were hospitalized for an 8-h sleep recorded by polysomnography. Frequent hypnotic users used their regular medication at bedtime (2330 hours), while infrequent users and controls received no medication. Cognitive performance (word learning, digit span, tracking, divided attention, vigilance, and inhibitory control) was assessed 8.5 h and driving performance between 10 and 11 h after bedtime and dosing.

RESULTS

Polysomnographic recordings did not significantly differ between the groups, but the insomnia patients, treated or untreated, still reported subjective sleep complaints. Results show no differences in driving performance and driving-related skills between both groups of insomnia patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Driving performance in chronic users of hypnotics and untreated insomnia patients is not impaired. For chronic users, this may be due to prescription of relatively safe drugs and low doses. For untreated insomniacs, this corroborates previous findings showing an absence of neuropsychological deficits in this group of patients.

Pharmacotherapy of essential tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This has limited the development of effective pharmacotherapy. The current therapeutic armamentaria for ET represent the product of careful clinical observation rather than targeted molecular modeling. Here we review their pharmacokinetics, metabolism, dosing, and adverse effect profiles and propose a treatment algorithm. We also discuss the concept of medically refractory tremor, as therapeutic trials should be limited unless invasive therapy is contraindicated or not desired by patients.

First line management of prolonged convulsive seizures in children and adults: good practice points

Over the past decades, it has become clear that the most efficient way to prevent status epilepticus is to stop the seizure as fast as possible, and early treatment of prolonged convulsive seizures has become an integral part of the overall treatment strategy in epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are the first choice drugs to be used as emergency medication. This treatment in the early phases of a seizure often implies a 'pre-medical' setting before intervention of medically trained persons. In this paper, we propose "good practice points" for first line management of prolonged convulsive seizures in children and adults in a 'pre-medical' setting.

Diabetes and hypertension increase the placental and transcellular permeation of the lipophilic drug diazepam in pregnant women

Background

Previous studies carried out in our laboratories have demonstrated impaired drug permeation in diabetic animals. In this study the permeation of diazepam (after a single dose of 5 mg/day, administered intramuscularly) will be investigated in diabetic and hypertensive pregnant women.

Methods

A total 75 pregnant women were divided into three groups: group 1 (healthy control, n = 31), group 2 (diabetic, n = 14) and group 3 (hypertensive, n = 30). Two sets of diazepam plasma concentrations were collected and measured (after the administration of the same dose of diazepam), before, during and after delivery. The first set of blood samples was taken from the mother (maternal venous plasma). The second set of samples was taken from the fetus (fetal umbilical venous and arterial plasma). In order to assess the effect of diabetes and hypertension on diazepam placental-permeation, the ratios of fetal to maternal blood concentrations were determined. Differences were considered statistically significant if p ≤ 0.05.

Results

The diabetes and hypertension groups have 2-fold increase in the fetal umbilical-venous concentrations, compared to the maternal venous concentrations. Feto: maternal plasma-concentrations ratios were higher in diabetes (2.01 ± 1.10) and hypertension (2.26 ± 1.23) groups compared with control (1.30 ± 0.48) while, there was no difference in ratios between the diabetes and hypertension groups. Umbilical-cord arterial: venous ratios (within each group) were similar among all groups (control: 0.97 ± 0.32; hypertension: 1.08 ± 0.60 and diabetes: 1.02 ± 0.77).

Conclusions

On line with our previous findings which demonstrate disturbed transcellular trafficking of lipophilic drugs in diabetes, this study shows significant increase in diazepam placental-permeation in diabetic and hypertensive pregnant women suggesting poor transcellular control of drug permeation and flux, and bigger exposure of the fetus to drug-placental transport.

Perioperative substitution of anti-epileptic drugs

A common problem in brain and abdominal surgery is the perioperative substitution of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) when patients are temporarily unable to take these drugs orally. We searched the literature for clinical trials with patients or healthy volunteers in whom non-oral formulations of AEDs as substitution were tested. Different search engines, handbooks, expert opinion and our own experience, were used. Pharmaceutical companies were approached for recommendations. This led to three categories of replacement: 1. commercial alternative (n = 10) for clonazepam, diazepam, lacosamide, levetiracetam, lorazepam, midazolam, nitrazepam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and valproic acid; 2. alternatives that must be prepared (n = 6) for carbamazepine, clobazam, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, primidone, topiramate; 3. no alternative (n = 7) for ethosuccimide, felbamate, retigabine, stiripentol, tiagabine, vigabatrin, zonisamide. Thus, for a substantial number of AEDs, unofficial perioperative treatment strategies need to be followed for lack of alternatives to oral administration. There is little clinical research addressing the equivalence of oral and parenteral formulas. Perioperative substitution of AEDs is an underestimated problem, and may increase the risk of postoperative seizures.

Midazolam induces cellular apoptosis in human cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in xenograft mice

Midazolam is a widely used anesthetic of the benzodiazepine class that has shown cytotoxicity and apoptosisinducing activity in neuronal cells and lymphocytes. This study aims to evaluate the effect of midazolam on growth of K562 human leukemia cells and HT29 colon cancer cells. The in vivo effect of midazolam was investigated in BALB/c-nu mice bearing K562 and HT29 cells human tumor xenografts. The results show that midazolam decreased the viability of K562 and HT29 cells by inducing apoptosis and S phase cell-cycle arrest in a concentration-dependent manner. Midazolam activated caspase-9, capspase-3 and PARP indicating induction of the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Midazolam lowered mitochondrial membrane potential and increased apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Midazolam showed reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity through inhibition of NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) enzyme activity in K562 cells. Midazolam caused inhibition of pERK1/2 signaling which led to inhibition of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL and XIAP and phosphorylation activation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bid. Midazolam inhibited growth of HT29 tumors in xenograft mice. Collectively our results demonstrate that midazolam caused growth inhibition of cancer cells via activation of the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and inhibited HT29 tumor growth in xenograft mice. The mechanism underlying these effects of midazolam might be suppression of ROS production leading to modulation of apoptosis and growth regulatory proteins. These findings present possible clinical implications of midazolam as an anesthetic to relieve pain during in vivo anticancer drug delivery and to enhance anticancer efficacy through its ROS-scavenging and pro-apoptotic properties.

A novel locus for episodic ataxia:UBR4 the likely candidate

Episodic ataxias (EAs) are rare neurological channelopathies that are characterized by spells of imbalance and a lack of co-ordination. There are seven clinically recognized EAs and multiple isolated cases. Five disease-causing genes have been identified to date. We describe a novel form of autosomal dominant EA in a large three-generation Irish family. This form of EA presents in early childhood with periods of unsteadiness generalized weakness and slurred speech during an attack, which may be triggered by physical tiredness or stress. Linkage analysis undertaken in 13 related individuals identified a single disease locus (1p36.13-p34.3) with a LOD score of 3.29. Exome sequencing was performed. Following data analysis, which included presence/absence within the linkage peak, two candidate variants were identified. These are located in the HSPG2 and UBR4 genes. UBR4 is an ubiquitin ligase protein that is known to interact with calmodulin, a Ca(2+) protein, in the cytoplasm. It also co-localizes with ITPR1 a calcium release channel that is a major determinant of mammal co-ordination. Although UBR4 is not an ion channel gene, the potential for disrupted Ca(2+) control within neuronal cells highlights its potential for a role in this form of EA.

Indirect comparison of clobazam and other therapies for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

OBJECTIVE

In the absence of head-to-head trials, it is not feasible to make direct comparisons of antiepileptic therapies for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). We conducted indirect comparisons of the relative efficacies of clobazam, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, and rufinamide as adjunctive treatments for LGS.

METHODS

Clinical studies of LGS patients were identified in a 2009 Cochrane review and by electronic database search. Five randomized controlled trials were included in this systematic review, which reports findings from indirect comparisons between clobazam and other approved adjunctive LGS therapies (felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, rufinamide) in the United States and Europe. As outcomes were not uniformly reported across studies, the primary efficacy endpoint from each trial was transformed into Cohen's d effect size, to facilitate indirect comparisons. Typical interpretations of Cohen's d results are as follows: d < 0.2, change not detectable; 0.2 ≤ d < 0.5, small change; 0.5 ≤ d < 0.8, moderate change; and 0.8 ≤ d, large change.

RESULTS

High-dosage clobazam (1.0 mg/kg/day) was found to have the strongest treatment effect vs placebo (effect size 0.80), with moderate effects (effect sizes >0.50) for medium-dosage clobazam (0.5 mg/kg/day) and rufinamide. Felbamate, lamotrigine, and topiramate had low effect sizes. Indirect comparisons of numbers of total seizures and tonic-atonic seizures ('drop attacks') demonstrated superiority of both clobazam dosages over all comparators.

CONCLUSIONS

High- and medium-dosage clobazam was estimated to be more efficacious than other LGS treatments. Our analysis relied on published data and could not draw on direct head-to-head data of clobazam with alternatives. Further comparative research is ongoing to assess the usefulness of clobazam for LGS.

Redetermination of the structure of 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5- phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(3H)-one, C16H13ClN2O

C16H13ClN2O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.9510(2) Å, b = 13.2274(3) Å, c = 12.8923(3) Å, β = 90.172(1)°, V = 1355.9 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0314, wRref(F2) = 0.0834, T = 200 K.

The long-term safety of antiepileptic drugs

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used by millions of people worldwide for the treatment of epilepsy, as well as in many other neurological and psychiatric conditions. They are frequently associated with adverse effects (AEs), which have an impact on the tolerability and success of treatment. Half the people who develop intolerable AEs discontinue treatment early on after initiation, while the majority of people will continue to be exposed to their effects for long periods of time. The long-term safety of AEDs reflects their potential for chronic, cumulative dose effects; rare, but potentially serious late idiosyncratic effects; late, dose-related effects; and delayed, teratogenic or neurodevelopmental effects. These AEs can affect every body system and are usually insidious. With the exception of delayed effects, most other late or chronic AEs are reversible. To date, there is no clear evidence of a carcinogenic effect of AEDs in humans. While physicians are aware of the long-term AEs of old AEDs (the traditional liver enzyme-inducing AEDs and valproate), information about AEs of new AEDs (such as lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate or zonisamide), particularly of their teratogenic effects, has emerged over the years. Sporadic publications have raised issues about AEs of the newer AEDs eslicarbazepine, retigabine, rufinamide, lacosamide and perampanel but their long-term safety profiles may take years to be fully appreciated. Physicians should not only be aware of the late and chronic AEs of AEDs but should systematically enquire and screen for these according to the individual AED AE profile. Care should be taken for individuals with comorbid conditions that may render them more susceptible to specific AEs. Prevention and appropriate management of long-term AED AEs is expected to improve adherence to treatment, quality of life and control of epilepsy.

Evaluation of anti-hyperalgesic and analgesic effects of two benzodiazepines in human experimental pain: a randomized placebo-controlled study

Background and Aims

Compounds that act on GABA-receptors produce anti-hyperalgesia in animal models, but little is known on their effects in humans. The aim of this study was to explore the potential usefulness of GABA-agonism for the control of pain in humans. Two agonists at the benzodiazepine-binding site of GABA_A-receptors (clobazam and clonazepam) were studied using multiple experimental pain tests. Positive results would support further investigation of GABA agonism for the control of clinical pain.

Methods

In a randomized double-blind crossover design, 16 healthy male volunteers received clobazam 20 mg, clonazepam 1 mg and tolterodine 1 mg (active placebo). The area of static hyperalgesia after intradermal capsaicin injection was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were: area of dynamic hyperalgesia, response to von Frey hair stimulation, pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation, cutaneous and intramuscular electrical pain thresholds (1, 5 and 20 repeated stimulation), and pain during cuff algometry.

Results

For the primary endpoint, an increase in the area of static hyperalgesia was observed after administration of placebo (p<0.001), but not after clobazam and clonazepam. Results suggestive for an anti-hyperalgesic effect of the benzodiazepines were obtained with all three intramuscular pain models and with cuff algometry. No effect could be detected with the other pain models employed.

Conclusions

Collectively, the results are suggestive for a possible anti-hyperalgesic effect of drugs acting at the GABA_A-receptors in humans, particularly in models of secondary hyperalgesia and deep pain. The findings are not conclusive, but support further clinical research on pain modulation by GABAergic drugs. Because of the partial results, future research should focus on compounds acting selectively on subunits of the GABA complex, which may allow the achievement of higher receptor occupancy than unselective drugs. Our data also provide information on the most suitable experimental models for future investigation of GABAergic compounds.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01011036

The pharmacology of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) remains the most effective symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, long-term administration of L-DOPA is marred by the emergence of abnormal involuntary movements, i.e., L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). Years of intensive research have yielded significant progress in the quest to elucidate the mechanisms leading to the development and expression of dyskinesia and maintenance of the dyskinetic state, but the search for a complete understanding is still ongoing. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge of the pharmacology of LID in PD. Specifically, we review evidence gathered from postmortem and pharmacological studies, both preclinical and clinical, and discuss the involvement of dopaminergic and nondopaminergic systems, including glutamatergic, opioid, serotonergic, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, adenosine, cannabinoid, adrenergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic systems. Moreover, we discuss changes occurring in transcription factors, intracellular signaling, and gene expression in the dyskinetic phenotype. Inasmuch as a multitude of neurotransmitters and receptors play a role in the etiology of dyskinesia, we propose that to optimally alleviate this motor complication, it may be necessary to develop combined treatment approaches that will target simultaneously more than one neurotransmitter system. This could be achieved via three ways as follows: 1) by developing compounds that will interact simultaneously to a multitude of receptors with the required agonist/antagonist effect at each target, 2) by targeting intracellular signaling cascades where the signals mediated by multiple receptors converge, and/or 3) to regulate gene expression in a manner that has effects on signaling by multiple pathways.

Clobazam therapy of refractory epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex

Clobazam (CLB) was recently approved by the FDA, but has not been evaluated in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients with TSC and refractory epilepsy who started CLB over a 5-year period. Clinical characteristics and number of tubers on MRI were assessed. Duration of therapy, therapeutic response and adverse events were recorded. CLB was prescribed in 29 adults and children of whom 72% were cognitively impaired, with a median age at seizure onset of 5 months. Mean duration of CLB therapy was 17.3 months with a 12 and 24-month estimated retention rate of 82% and 68%, respectively. Twenty patients (69%) reported a good response (>50% seizure reduction) at the end of the titration, and six patients (21%) remained good responders after 12 months of CLB therapy. Adverse events occurred in 13 patients, predominantly somnolence and behavioral disorders. One quarter of the responders reported improvement in behavior. No predictive factor for a good response could be identified. CLB appears to be a well-tolerated and valuable option for treatment of refractory epilepsy in TSC.

Long-term safety and efficacy of clobazam for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: interim results of an open-label extension study

In an ongoing open-label extension (OV-1004), patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who had completed 1 of 2 randomized controlled trials (OV-1002 [Phase II] or OV-1012 [Phase III]) are receiving clobazam at dosages ≤2.0 mg/kg/day (≤80 mg/day). Of 306 eligible patients from OV-1002 or OV-1012, 267 entered the open-label extension. As of the interim date, July 1, 2010, 213 patients (79.8%) had remained in the trial, and 189 had received clobazam for ≥12 months, 128 for ≥18 months, and 94 for ≥24 months. Median percentage decreases in average weekly rates of drop seizures were 71.1% and 91.6% at Months 3 and 24. Mean modal and mean maximum daily dosages were 0.94 mg/kg and 1.22 mg/kg for those who had received clobazam for ≥1 year. The 4 most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (18.4%), fall (14.2%), pneumonia (13.9%), and somnolence (12.7%). Clobazam's adverse event profile was consistent with its profile in controlled trials.

Trends in the use of antiepileptic drugs among pregnant women in the US, 2001-2007: a medication exposure in pregnancy risk evaluation program study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the extent of antiepileptic drug (AED) use in pregnancy, particularly for newer agents. Our objective was to assess whether AED use has increased among pregnant women in the US, 2001-2007.

METHODS

  We analysed data from the Medication Exposure in Pregnancy Risk Evaluation Program (MEPREP) database, 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2007. We identified liveborn deliveries among women, aged 15-45 years on delivery date, who were members of MEPREP health plans (n=585615 deliveries). Pregnancy exposure to AEDs, determined through outpatient pharmacy dispensing files. Older AEDs were available for clinical use before 1993; other agents were considered newer AEDs. Information on sociodemographic and medical/reproductive factors was obtained from linked birth certificate files. Maternal diagnoses were identified based on ICD-9 codes.

RESULTS

  Prevalence of AED use during pregnancy increased between 2001 (15.7 per 1000 deliveries) and 2007 (21.9 per 1000 deliveries), driven primarily by a fivefold increase in the use of newer AEDs. Thirteen per cent of AED-exposed deliveries involved a combination of two or more AEDs. Psychiatric disorders were the most prevalent diagnoses, followed by epileptic and pain disorders, among AED users regardless of AED type, year of conception or gestational period.

CONCLUSIONS

  AED use during pregnancy increased between 2001 and 2007, driven by a fivefold increase in the use of newer AEDs. Nearly one in eight AED-exposed deliveries involved the concomitant use of more than one AED. Additional investigations of the reproductive safety of newer AEDs may be needed.

Clobazam : in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Clobazam, as with other benzodiazepines, has a long history of use in the treatment of epilepsy. More recently, it was approved in the USA as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients aged ≥2 years. In the pivotal, placebo-controlled CONTAIN trial in paediatric and adult patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (n = 217 evaluable), adjunctive therapy with clobazam 5-40 mg/day for 12 weeks significantly reduced mean weekly drop seizure rates from baseline compared with adjunctive placebo (primary endpoint), with a significant dosage-dependent improvement in these rates. Results from a dosage-ranging, double-blind, multi-centre, phase II trial add further support for the efficacy of clobazam in paediatric and adult patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (n = 61 evaluable). Improvements in mean weekly drop seizure rates with adjunctive clobazam treatment in these short-term trials was maintained in an ongoing, open-label extension study, with a 91.6 % reduction in mean weekly drop seizure rates from baseline (at randomization in the initial trials) to 24 months in the overall population. Treatment with adjunctive clobazam was generally well tolerated in these clinical trials and after at least 2 years of treatment in an open-label extension study. Most adverse events were mild or moderate and similar to those typically observed with other benzodiazepines.

Contribution of prolonged-release melatonin and anti-benzodiazepine campaigns to the reduction of benzodiazepine and Z-drugs consumption in nine European countries

Background

Benzodiazepines (BZD) and benzodiazepine receptor agonists (zolpidem, zaleplon, zopiclone, altogether Z-drugs) are most commonly prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. However, long-term use of BZD/Z-drugs is associated with major adverse events including, but not limited to, falls and fractures, domestic and traffic accidents, confusion, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. The prolonged use of these drugs is thought to be related to severe withdrawal symptoms and potential dependency. The chronic and extensive use of BZD/Z drugs has become a public health issue and has led to multiple campaigns to reduce both prescription and consumption of BZD/Z-drugs. Prolonged-release (PR) melatonin is the first of a new class of melatonin receptor agonist drugs that has demonstrated clinically relevant efficacy on improving quality of sleep and morning alertness, with a good safety profile.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the impact of anti-BZD/Z-drugs campaigns and the availability of alternative pharmacotherapy (PR-melatonin) on the consumption of BZD and Z-drugs in several European countries.

Methods

Annual sales data from nine European countries were extracted from the IMS sales database and analyzed to determine whether trends in use of these treatment options were attributed to campaigns and/or availability and affordability of safer alternatives on the market.

Results

Campaigns aiming to reduce the use of BZD/Z-drugs failed when they were not associated with the availability and market uptake of PR-melatonin. The reimbursement of PR-melatonin supports better penetration rates and a higher reduction in sales for BZD/Z-drugs.

A comparison of antiepileptic drug therapy in patients with severe intellectual disability and patients with normal intellect

We describe and compare the antiepileptic drug (AED) management in patients with severe intellectual disability (ID) and those with normal intellect (NI) and focal epilepsy at a tertiary epilepsy center. Fifty patients with ID were compared to a control group of 50 patients with NI; the majority of the patients in both groups had medically refractory epilepsy. Patients with ID were currently taking and had been previously exposed to a greater number of different AEDs. Despite the fact that both groups of patients had beene qually exposed to both old and newer AEDs, patients with ID were more likely to be taking at least one old AED and were more commonly treated with benzodiazepines (clobazam was the most commonly used drug in this group). This difference is likely related to greater seizure frequency and co-morbid behavioral disturbance in the ID group as no bias was identified against utilization of the newer AEDs in patients with ID.

Oromucosal midazolam: a review of its use in pediatric patients with prolonged acute convulsive seizures

Oromucosal midazolam (Buccolam™) is a benzodiazepine approved for the treatment of pediatric patients with acute, prolonged, convulsive seizures. This article reviews the pharmacologic properties of oromucosal midazolam and its clinical efficacy and tolerability for the treatment of prolonged acute convulsive seizures in pediatric patients aged 3 months to <18 years. Midazolam exerts its action by enhancing the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABA(A) receptors, resulting in neural inhibition. Oromucosal midazolam has a rapid onset (<10 minutes; due to rapid absorption across the buccal membrane and high lipophilicity) and short duration of effect (categorized by the short elimination half-life of midazolam and its active metabolite). The oromucosal administration of the drug avoids first-pass hepatic metabolism; as a result, it has a higher bioavailability than oral midazolam. Oromucosal midazolam is at least as effective at seizure cessation as rectal or intravenous diazepam and appears as well tolerated as these diazepam formulations in pediatric patients with acute convulsive seizures (additionally, midazolam has been available for use for decades in various formulations, and is historically well tolerated). Moreover, oromucosal midazolam was associated with a similar or shorter time to response than rectal diazepam. While the time to response was longer with oromucosal midazolam than with intravenous diazepam, the latter took significantly longer to apply than the former, leading to a significantly shorter overall controlling time with oromucosal midazolam. Respiratory depression occurred at a similar rate in recipients of oromucosal midazolam to that observed in recipients of rectal diazepam. Overall, oromucosal midazolam is at least as effective as rectal diazepam and as effective as intravenous diazepam in the treatment of children with prolonged acute convulsive seizures, and is generally well tolerated in this population. It has several advantages over rectal diazepam, the previous gold standard of treatment, such as having a more socially acceptable administration route and having a likely more predictable absorption profile. Oromucosal midazolam is a promising first-line treatment option for children with prolonged acute convulsive seizures, in particular where intravenous access is precluded.

Clinically significant psychotropic drug-drug interactions in the primary care setting

In recent years, the growing numbers of patients seeking care for a wide range of psychiatric illnesses in the primary care setting has resulted in an increase in the number of psychotropic medications prescribed. Along with the increased utilization of psychotropic medications, considerable variability is noted in the prescribing patterns of primary care providers and psychiatrists. Because psychiatric patients also suffer from a number of additional medical comorbidities, the increased utilization of psychotropic medications presents an elevated risk of clinically significant drug interactions in these patients. While life-threatening drug interactions are rare, clinically significant drug interactions impacting drug response or appearance of serious adverse drug reactions have been documented and can impact long-term outcomes. Additionally, the impact of genetic variability on the psychotropic drug's pharmacodynamics and/or pharmacokinetics may further complicate drug therapy. Increased awareness of clinically relevant psychotropic drug interactions can aid clinicians to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes in patients in the primary care setting.

Propofol effectively inhibits lithium-pilocarpine- induced status epilepticus in rats via downregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit expression

Status epilepticus was induced via intraperitoneal injection of lithium-pilocarpine. The inhibitory effects of propofol on status epilepticus in rats were judged based on observation of behavior, electroencephalography and 24-hour survival rate. Propofol (12.5-100 mg/kg) improved status epilepticus in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly reduced the number of deaths within 24 hours of lithium-pilocarpine injection. Western blot results showed that, 24 hours after induction of status epilepticus, the levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A and 2B subunits were significantly increased in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Propofol at 50 mg/kg significantly suppressed the increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit levels, but not the increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A subunit levels. The results suggest that propofol can effectively inhibit status epilepticus induced by lithium-pilocarpine. This effect may be associated with downregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit expression after seizures.

Premedication with midazolam nasal spray: an alternative to oral midazolam in children

Background:

Midazolam is a water soluble benzodiazepine which is frequently administered by intravenous and oral routes in our institution. Its nasal spray has become recently available.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of midazolam administered orally and by intranasal spray, with the specific objective of assessing their efficacy in terms of acceptability to the patients, whether they achieve a satisfactory sedation score, and the overall ease of inducing general anesthesia.

Patients and Methods:

Sixty healthy children of ASA grade I or II, aged 2–6 years who were undergoing elective surgery of approximately 30 minutes duration, were assigned to receive midazolam premedication in a randomized controlled trial. They were divided into 2 groups of 30 patients each. Group I: 30 patients received midazolam orally (parenteral solution mixed in honey). Group II: 30 patients received a commercially available midazolam nasal spray.

Results:

The study shows that children better accepted the drug when administered orally than when administered intranasally, although satisfactory sedation scores at 10 and 20 minutes were better in the nasal spray group than in the oral group [i.e., 6 (20%) vs. 0 (0%) at 10 min and 16 (53.3%) vs. 13 (43.3%), respectively]. Satisfactory ease of induction scores [24 (80%) vs. 13 (43.3%)], recovery times [11.63 ± 4.19 minutes vs. 25.20 ± 9.36 minutes], and post-anesthesia recovery scores were better in the nasal spray group (group II) than in the oral group (group I).

Conclusions:

On the basis of our study, we conclude that nasal midazolam spray is acceptable and is a good alternative to oral midazolam as premedication in the pediatric population.