Trimethadione: Its Dosage and Toxicity

In the decade during which trimethadione (Tridione) has been in wide clinical use it has proved to be an excellent therapeutic agent for the treatment of the petit mal triad. The petit mal triad is manifested by episodes of absence, akinesis, and myoclonic jerks (occurring singly or together in a given patient), with the electroencephalogram showing characteristic 3-per-second spike-and-wave discharges, bilaterally symmetrical and most prominent anteriorly. It is proposed that its therapeutic usefulness can be successfully and materially extended by the vigorous usage of this medication in doses considerably higher than those generally employed. The following three cases illustrate its effectiveness when used in this manner. Report of Cases Case 1. *—Twenty-year-old youth; weight, 55.7 kg. (122.5 lb.). Nothing is known of the patient's birth and early development. He began having seizures at about the age of 5 or 6 years. He had no warning or aura. Seizure types: 1.