Efficacy of Fluoxetine in Reducing Ictal Hypoventilation in Patients With Partial Epilepsy
Uncontrolled Partial Epilepsy, Ictal Hypoventilation
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Uncontrolled Partial Epilepsy focused on measuring fluoxetine, epilepsy, Prozac
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, aged 18-65.
- Medical intractability of seizures such that VET to determine candidacy for epilepsy surgery is determined to be clinically appropriate for the patient by the primary treating epileptologist.
- Intelligence Quotient >70.
- Native English speaker or adequate fluency in English to provide informed consent.
- Female patients of child-bearing potential must be using an acceptable method of contraception, including abstinence.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Progressive neurological disease.
- Severe depression, bipolar disease or psychosis.
- History of suicidal ideation or intent.
- Clinically significant concurrent medical illness, including hepatic or renal insufficiency and diabetes.
- Pregnant or lactating women.
- Current heavy alcohol or illicit drug use.
- Patients already taking fluoxetine or other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Concurrent use of monoaminoxidase inhibitors, antipsychotic agents, antidepressant agents other than SSRIs or frequent use of triptan agents.
- History of a previous allergic reaction or adverse effects with SSRIs.
- History of serotonin syndrome.
Sites / Locations
- University of California, Davis
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
fluoxetine
Placebo
Patients will be randomized to receive either 20 mg/day of fluoxetine (one pill) or placebo (one pill), to be started one week prior to the scheduled hospital admission date. The dose will be increased to two pills per day on day 1 of hospitalization bringing the total dose of fluoxetine to 40 mg/day in patients randomized to receive this medication. On the day of discharge from the hospital, the study medication will be reduced to 1 pill per day and the patient will be instructed to stop the medication one week following discharge.
Patients will be randomized to receive either 20 mg/day of fluoxetine (one pill) or placebo (one pill), to be started one week prior to the scheduled hospital admission date. The dose will be increased to two pills per day on day 1 of hospitalization. On the day of discharge from the hospital, the study medication will be reduced to 1 pill per day and the patient will be instructed to stop the medication one week following discharge.