AMPHETAMINE (BENZEDRINE) SULFATE AS A CORRECTIVE FOR THE DEPRESSION OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION IN EPILEPSY

LEON J. ROBINSONAuthors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 98, Number 2

https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.98.2.215

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Abstract

Amphetamine ( benzedrine) sulfate, (5-30 mgm.) was given to 58 epileptic patients with toxic manifestations as a result of increased anti-convulsant medication, the latter consisting mainly or in part of phenobarbital in all but one case, (receiving mebaral alone).

The toxic effects of the anti-convulsant medication consisted of drowsiness, ataxia, irritability, aggressiveness, anorexia, vertigo, nystagmus and tremor.

Amphetamine (benzedrine) sulfate was notably of value in combating the drowsiness (64.2 per cent of cases); and secondarily of value in relieving ataxia, irritability, aggressiveness and anorexia, associated with the drowsiness.

Amphetamine was effective in 39 cases, ineffective in 18 cases. When effective, amphetamine was constantly necessary in 18 patients, and only temporarily necessary (7 days to 2 months) in 21 patients.

In itself, amphetamine (benzedrine) sulfate did not affect the incidence of epileptic seizures.

By counteracting toxic effects amphetamine (benzedrine) sulfate made it possible, in many cases, to reduce seizures by giving adequate anti-convulsant medication, and in this respect proved of appreciable importance as an adjunct in the therapy of epilepsy.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 98 • Number 2 • September 1941

Pages: 215 - 218

History

Published in print: September 1941

Published online: 1 April 2006

Authors

Affiliations

LEON J. ROBINSON

The Monson State Hospital, Palmer, Mass.

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AMPHETAMINE (BENZEDRINE) SULFATE AS A CORRECTIVE FOR THE DEPRESSION OF SEDATIVE MEDICATION IN EPILEPSY

Abstract

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