SEIZURES
It is usually best to start with only one anti-seizure medicine—usually phenobarbital,
if available. Start with a low to medium dose, and after a week, if seizures are not
controlled and if there are no serious side effects, increase to a higher dose. After a few
days, if the seizures are still not controlled, add a second medication—usually phenytoin, for
‘big seizures’. Again, start with a low to medium dose and gradually increase as needed.
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CAUTION: When you stop or change a child’s medicine, do so gradually.
Sudden stopping or changing the medicine may make seizures worse.
Also, it may take several days for a new medicine to have its full effect.
WARNING: All anti-seizure medicines are poisonous if
a child takes too much. Be careful to give the right dose
and to keep medicines out of reach of children.
INFORMATION ON DOSAGE AND PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTI-SEIZURE MEDICINES
Phenobarbital (phenobarbitione, Luminal)
For all types of seizures. Usually comes in:
tablets of 15 mg. tablets of 30 mg.
tablets of 60 mg. tablets of 100 mg.
(It costs less to buy 100 mg.
tablets and cut them into pieces.)
Dosage: Because tablet sizes differ, we give the dosage in milligrams (mg.).
The usual dose is 3 to 8 mg. for each kg. of body weight every day (3 to 8 mg./kg./day)—
usually given in 2 doses (morning and evening):
Give 2 doses a day. In each dose give:
children over 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 to 150 mg.
children 7 to 12 years . . . . . . . . . 25 to 50 mg.
children under 7 years . . . . . . . . . 10 to 25 mg.
Some children do better with 1 dose a day instead of 2 doses. Give twice the amount listed
here at bedtime. But if the seizures return or the child has problems going to sleep or waking
up, go back to 2 doses a day of the regular amount.
SIDE EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONS
• Too much can cause sleepiness or slow breathing.
• Some very active children become over-active or behave badly.
• Rare side effects include mild dizziness, eye-jerking, and skin rash.
• Bone growth problems may occur—especially in children with mental slowness.
Extra vitamin D may help.
• Bitter taste. It may help to grind up the tablet and give it with honey or jam.
• Habit forming.
CAUTION: If tablets of 100 mg. are used,
be very sure the family understands that
they must be cut into pieces. Show them
first and then have them do it.
Giving a whole tablet
instead of a small piece
can poison the child.
disabled village children