Verapamil and Catamenial Epilepsy

University Health Network, Toronto12 enrolled

Overview

One in 3 epilepsy patients have refractory seizures. This drug resistance is likely related to the over expression of multidrug resistance proteins (MDR). Progesterone is a known inhibitor of MDRs and the low level of this hormone during the menstrual cycle may exacerbate seizures, perhaps explaining catamenial epilepsy; i.e. seizures occurring during the menstrual cycle. Verapamil suppresses seizures in animal models of epilepsy perhaps by inhibiting MDRs and thus may help patients with refractory seizures. If the study shows improved seizure control, the results will help establish the role of MDRs in refractory epilepsy.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Catamenial Epilepsy

Interventions

verapamil hyrochlorideDRUG

80 mg daily by mouth, 5 days prior to menses for 3 months

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * females * at least 2 seizures per month * more than 50% of the seizures occur 7 days before or 7 days after the onset of menses * patient of the Toronto Western Hospital Epilepsy Clinic Exclusion Criteria: * cardiovascular history

Locations (1)

Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

the percent reduction in seizure frequency

Time frame: 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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