Phenytoin may be helpful for MS patients

Feb-2016

Phenytoin, an anti-epileptic drug has been shown to be helpful in prevention of nerve damage, particularly optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according to study by the University College London claim.

The present study enrolled 86 MS patients with acute optic neuritis. They were assigned to receive either phenytoin or a placebo. About 30% less damage in optic nerve fibre layers were found in phenytoin-treated patients, compared with placebo group.

The initial results appear to be promising; larger, phase-III clinical trials are warranted to confirm the findings, the study authors noted.

The study results were published in The Lancet Neurology. Drugsupdate.com