Beclamide Explained

Beclamide (marketed as Chloracon, Hibicon, Posedrine, Nydrane, Seclar, and other names) is a drug that possesses anticonvulsant activity.^[1] It is no longer used.

Uses

It has been used as a sedative and as an anticonvulsant.

It was studied in the 1950s for its anticonvulsant properties, as a treatment for generalised tonic-clonic seizures. It was not effective for absence seizures.

Interest in the drug resumed in the 1990s for its psychiatric properties as an adjunct in the treatment of schizophrenia.^[2]

Side effects

Side effects are uncommon but include stomach pain, nervousness, giddiness, skin rash and leukopenia. It is counter-indicated in breast feeding as it is passed in the milk.

References

• The Medical Treatment of Epilepsy by Stanley R Resor. Published by Marcel Dekker (1991). .

Notes and References

1. Ahmadi M, Nicholls PJ, Smith HJ, Spencer PS, Preet-Ryatt MS, Spragg BP . Metabolism of beclamide after a single oral dose in man: quantitative studies . The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology . 47 . 10 . 876–8 . October 1995 . 8583359 . 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1995.tb05757.x. 19556266 .
2. Raptis C, Garcia-Borreguero D, Weber MM, Dose M, Bremer D, Emrich HM . Anticonvulsants as adjuncts for the neuroleptic treatment of schizophrenic psychoses: a clinical study with beclamide . Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica . 81 . 2 . 162–7 . February 1990 . 2183543 . 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06472.x. 26772370 .