Anticonvulsants, also known as antiepileptic drugs or AEDs, are a diverse group of medications that are used in the treatment of epileptic seizures.
They can also be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and neuropathic pain.
Anticonvulsants work by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Anticonvulsant drugs can be classified into several categories based on their chemical structure and mechanisms of action.
Classification of anticonvulsants:
1.Barbiturates:
Phenobarbitone
Methabarbital
2.Hydantoins:
Phenytoin
Mephenytoin
Ethotoin
3.Oxazolidine Diones:
Trimethadione
Paramethadione
4.Succinimides:
Phensuximide
Methsuximide
Ethosuximide
5.Urea and Monoacylureas:
Phenacemide
Carbamazepine
6.Benzodiazepines:
Clonazepam
7.Miscellaneous:
Primidone
Valproic acid
Gabapentin
Felbamate
· Each of these categories represents a group of anticonvulsant drugs that may have different mechanisms of action and clinical uses.
· Anticonvulsants are prescribed by healthcare professionals to manage seizures and epilepsy, and the choice of medication depends on the type of seizures, the patient's individual response, and potential side effects.
· It's crucial for patients to work closely with their healthcare providers to find the most effective and safe anticonvulsant treatment for their specific condition.
Mechanism of Anticonvulsant Action
The exact mechanism of action of anticonvulsants depends on the specific drug.
However, most anticonvulsants work by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
This can be achieved by different mechanisms:
Sodium channel inhibition:
Drugs like phenytoin and carbamazepine inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels, which decreases the release of glutamate, the body's main excitatory neurotransmitter.
Calcium channel inhibition:
Drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin inhibit calcium channels on neurons, which decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters.
GABA enhancement:
Drugs like benzodiazepines and barbiturates enhance the activity of GABA, the body's main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Glutamate inhibition:
Drugs like topiramate and felbamate inhibit the activity of glutamate, the body's main excitatory neurotransmitter.
It's important to note that many anticonvulsants have multiple mechanisms of action, and the exact mechanism can often vary between different types of seizures.