Experimental hyphema clearance in rabbits. Drug trials with 1% atropine and 2% and 4% pilocarpine.

The effect of topical 1% atropine sulfate, 2% pilocarpine hydrochloride, and 4% pilocarpine hydrochloride on the clearance rate of RBCs labeled with chromium 51 (51Cr) that were injected into the anterior chamber of rabbits was determined by monitoring sequential radioactivity counts. Counts were made directly over the anterior chamber. One eye of each animal was treated with either 1% atropine, 2% pilocarpine, or 4% pilocarpine, and the other eye served as a control. None of these drugs significantly altered the clearance rate of 51Cr-labeled RBCs injected into the anterior chamber.

Serum clonazepam concentrations in children with absence seizures.

Clonazepam, a chlorinated derivative of nitrazepam, was administered to 10 children with absence seizures. Serum concentrations were measured after 8 weeks of treatment, at steady state. Seizure frequency reports and the 12-hour telemetered electroencephalogram were studied before and after 8 weeks of treatment to determine the frequency and duration of generalized spike-wave paroxysms. The clonazepam dosage ranged from 0.028 to 0.111 mg per kilogram and was reflected in serum levels ranging from 13 to 72 ng per milliliter, with an excellent correlation between dose and serum level. Eight of the 10 patients showed a significant decrease in seizure frequency, with three experiencing no seizures at all. Six patients had side effects, predominantly drowsiness and ataxia. This preliminary study shows clonazepam to be useful in the treatment of absence seizures in children and to merit further study.