Clobazam is approved by the FDA to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients aged 2 years and older. The drug is widely used in the chronic treatment of focal and generalized seizures, and has application in the treatment of diverse epilepsy syndromes, including epileptic encephalopathies other than LGS, such as Dravet syndrome.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is characterized by different types of seizures that typically begin in early childhood and may be associated with intellectual disability. Clobazam has been shown in controlled clinical trials to reduce drop (atonic) seizures in children with LGS, but there is evidence that it is effective for other seizure types as well.
Clobazam is a 1,5-benzodiazepine that acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors. It is often used in combination with other drugs, including stiripentol, cannabidiol, and many others.
Clobazam is extensively metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 (CYP) and non-CYP transformations. The major metabolite is N-desmethylclobazam (norclobazam), which has similar activity to clobazam on GABAA receptors and is an active antiseizure agent. During chronic treatment, levels of norclobazam are 8–20 times higher than those of the parent drug so that seizure protection during chronic therapy is mainly due to this metabolite.
Norclobazam is principally metabolized by CYP2C19. Individuals who lack CYP2C19 activity (“CYP2C19 poor metabolizers”) have higher plasma levels of norclobazam and are at an increased risk of adverse effects.
The FDA-approved drug label states that for patients known to be CYP2C19 poor metabolizers, the starting dose of clobazam should be 5 mg/day. Dose titration should proceed slowly according to weight, but to half the standard recommended doses, as tolerated. If necessary and based upon clinical response, an additional titration to the maximum dose (20 mg/day or 40 mg/day, depending on the weight group) may be started on day 21. [from Medical Genetics Summaries]
- MedGen UID:
- 1120906
- •Concept ID:
- CN456489
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- Sign or Symptom