Paraldehyde.

Paraldehyde is an anti-epileptic medicine belonging to a group of medicines called barbiturates.

The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. These signals must be carefully regulated for the brain and nerves to function properly. When abnormally rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the brain, it becomes over-stimulated and normal function is disturbed. This results in fits or seizures.

Infantile spasms (West syndrome).

West syndrome, otherwise known as infantile spasms, is an uncommon to rare and serious form of epilepsy in infants. It is named after the English physician, William James West (1793-1848), who first described it in an article published in The Lancet in 1841. Other names for it are “Generalized Flexion Epilepsy”, “Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy”, “Infantile Myoclonic Encephalopathy”, “jackknife convulsions”, “Massive Myoclonia” and “Salaam spasms”. The name “infantile spasms” is used to describe both the seizure type and the syndrome.

Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy at any one time. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of syndromes with vastly divergent symptoms but all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Cetraben.

Cetraben is made from a mixture of white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin with water, to produce a thick moisturiser. It works by providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.

Cetraben also contains glycerin, which is absorbed into the skin where it attracts water to itself, helping to retain water in the skin surface.

Betnovate (Betamethasone).

Betamethasone is a moderately potent glucocorticoid steroid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Unlike other drugs with these effects, betamethasone does not cause water retention. It is applied as a topical cream, ointment, foam, lotion or gel to treat itching (e.g. from eczema).