Could a seizure drug also prevent sudden death in dravet syndrome?

NCT ID NCT07112365

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether the drug Fintepla (fenfluramine) can improve how the brain and lungs respond to carbon dioxide in people with Dravet syndrome, a severe epilepsy. Poor responses to CO2 may increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Twenty-five participants will take Fintepla for about 60 days and undergo brain scans and breathing tests to measure changes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Fenfluramine (Fintepla)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to lower the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) for people with Dravet syndrome.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 25 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It focuses on brain and breathing changes, not directly on preventing death, so benefits are uncertain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Dravet syndrome Epilepsies, Myoclonic epilepsy Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DRAVET SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

Locations

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
RECRUITING

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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