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Medications for Infantile Spasms

Infantile spasms (IS) are rare form of seizures that usually starts occurring in a child’s first year of life.  The spasms may start as a small head drops which can be difficult to distinguish from normal movement such as normal startle reflex, colic or reflux. They may progress to larger spasms that include head going forwards and the legs coming up, with the arms flaring out which is the flexor spasm. Another type of spasm is the extensor spasms which is when the head goes back and the legs become straightened. The spasms can occur singularly or occur as clusters. A symptom associated with infantile spasms is developmental delay.  Infantile spasms are usually diagnosed by having a EEG, which measures brain waves, and will show a specific abnormal pattern called a hypsarrhythmia.

The underlying cause of infantile spasm can be from a range of disorders that have affected the brain. It is important to identify this cause as infantile spasms are usually classified according to these causes.

Drugs used to treat Infantile Spasms

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Orapred ODT Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
PediaPred Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
prednisolone Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisolone systemic
Brand names:
Orapred ODT, PediaPred
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Acthar Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
corticotropin Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Brand names:
Acthar, H.P. Acthar Gel
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
H.P. Acthar Gel Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
corticotropin systemic
Drug class:
corticotropin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Sabril Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
vigabatrin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
vigabatrin Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
vigabatrin systemic
Brand names:
Sabril, Vigadrone, Vigafyde, Vigpoder
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Vigadrone Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
vigabatrin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Vigafyde Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
vigabatrin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Vigpoder Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
vigabatrin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.