Rofecoxib potentiates the anticonvulsant effect of topiramate

Abstract.

The present study examines the effect of rofecoxib in combination with topiramate (a newer antiepileptic) against PTZ (80 mg/kg, i. p.)-induced chemoconvulsions in mice. Pretreatment with rofecoxib (1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg., i. p.) or topiramate (50 and 100 mg/kg., i. p.) dose dependently protected the animals against PTZ-induced convulsions. However, the lower dose of neither rofecoxib (0.5 mg/kg., i. p.) nor topiramate (25 mg/kg., i. p.) modified the latency of any of the phase of PTZ-induced convulsions. When a subeffective doses of rofecoxib (0.5 mg/kg, i. p.) was coadministered with a subprotective dose of topiramate (25 mg/kg, i. p.), there was no increase in onset latency of myoclonic jerks but an increase in the latency for clonus and extensor phase were observed. Rofecoxib may be used as an adjunct therapy with topiramate in the treatment of epilepsy.