Spasticity and Drug Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Valium (Diazepam)

What is Diazepam?

Also known as Valium, Diazepam is a sedative, anti-convulsant, and muscle relaxant. It is often used to relieve anxiety and as an anesthetic for minor surgeries. It can also be used to relieve seizures.

How is it given?

Valium can be given orally, intramuscularly or by intravenous injection. It can also be given rectally.

How can it help?

Valium can be used to help control seizures and to help relieve muscle spasms and spasticity in cerebral palsy sufferers.

What are the side effects?

Side effects include drowsiness, lethargy, depression, and headache. Valium can also cause confusion and dizziness, as well as respiratory depression.

Dilantin (Phenytoin)

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin is a medication used to prevent and control seizures. It is used frequently for the control of the type of seizures seen in epilepsy.

How is it given?

Dilantin can be given by mouth, in an injection or intravenously. It is also available as a liquid for those who have difficulty swallowing.

How can it help?

Dilantin can help slow, control or stop seizures.

What are the side effects?

Side effects of Dilantin include drowsiness and dizziness. Other side effects include upset stomach, sleep disturbances and headaches. Caution should be used driving or doing any activity which requires alertness while on Dilantin.

Epival (Divalproex)

What is Epival?

Epival is a drug that can be used to help control seizures. Exactly how it does that is unclear. It can be used to treat both petit mal and grand mal seizures. It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder.

How is it given?

Epival can be given by mouth.

How can it help?

Epival can help control or eliminate seizures.

What are the side effects?

Epival should not be used by anyone who has liver disease. It should also not be given to children under age 2, and caution should be used in using this drug for children under age 10. Because this drug can cause blood disorders, frequent monitoring of blood counts while taking Epival is important. Anticoagulants, like aspirin and coumadin, should be avoided while taking Epival.

Klonopin, Rivotril (Clonazepam)

What is Klonopin?

Also called Rivotril, Klonopin is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat petit mal and minor motor seizures. It can be used alone or with other seizure medications.

How is it given?

Klonopin is given by mouth in capsule form.

How can it help?

Klonopin can help control minor seizures and may be used to enhance the effects of other seizure medications.

What are the side effects?

Klonopin should not be used by anyone with liver disease or who has glaucoma. The most frequent side effects include drowsiness, behavior changes, and increased salivation.

Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

What is Tegretol?

Tegretol is used to treat different types of seizures. It can also be used to treat pain caused by nerve damage or disorders. It is also sometimes used to help treat mood disorders. Tegretol is most effective when used to treat generalized tonic-clonic seizures. These are the type of seizures during which the person loses consciousness in association with stiff or jerking extremities.

How is it given?

Tegretol is available in both tablet and liquid form for those who have difficulty swallowing.

How can it help?

Tegretol can help control or eliminate seizures. It can also help relieve pain caused by neurological problems.

What are the side effects?

Side effects include swelling, increased blood pressure, and slurred speech. Tegretol can also cause leg cramps and dry mouth.

Zarontin (Ethosuximide)

What is Zarontin?

Zarontin is a drug used to control petit mal seizures.

How is it given?

Zarontin can be taken in both capsule and liquid form.

How can it help?

Zarontin can help control or eliminate petit mal seizures.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and lethargy, as well as stomach upsets.

Drug Therapy

Further information on Drug Therapy

Spasms and Drug Therapy