Anti-Seizure Drugs

Anti-Seizure drugs are used for prevention of further occurence of seizure. It doesn't cure seizure but prevents it from reoccuring. Here is few of the drugs used for prevention of seizure along with its mechanism, indication and Side effects(S/E).

Valproate : 

Decrease voltage gated Na channels ; Increase GABA ; Inhibits Ca channel

1^st line medication 

S/E: Anemia , Hepatotoxicity, Pancreatitis, Spina bifida 

Phenytoin : 

Decrease voltage gated na channels 

Zero order kinetics, P450 inducer

S/E: Gingival hyperplasia, Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome  (toin = phenyTOIN = hydanTOIN)

Ethosuximide : 

Decrease T-type calcium 

Absence seizures 

S/E: Stevens-johnson syndrome (Absence seizure sux)

Carbamazepine : 

Increase voltage gated Na channels refractory period 

Trigeminal Neuralgia 

S/E: Steven-johnson syndrome 

Lamotrigine : 

Inhibits voltage gated na channels as well as glutamate channel

S/E: Stevens-johnson syndrome

Benzos and Barbs : 

Increase GABAa ( BZ: frequency of Cl; BB: duration of Cl )

Levetiracetam : 

Unknown Mechanism

Tiagabine and Vigabatrin : 

GABA

Topiramate : 

Inhibits voltage gated Na channels