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Anticonvulsants suppress the excessive rapid firing of neurons during seizures. [6] Anticonvulsants also prevent the spread of the seizure within the brain. [7] Conventional antiepileptic drugs may block sodium channels or enhance γ-aminobutyric acid function. Several antiepileptic drugs have multiple or uncertain mechanisms of action. [8]
Levetiracetam, sold under the brand name Keppra among others, is a novel antiepileptic drug [7] used to treat epilepsy. [8] It is used for partial-onset, myoclonic, or tonic–clonic seizures, [7] and is taken either by mouth as an immediate or extended release formulation or by injection into a vein.
Convulsions are induced in captive animals, then high doses of anticonvulsant drugs are administered. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] For example, kainic acid can lead to status epilepticus in animals as it is a cyclic analog of l-glutamate and an agonist for kainate receptors in the brain which makes it a potent neurotoxin and excitant.
Lamotrigine has fewer drug interactions than many anticonvulsant drugs, although pharmacokinetic interactions with carbamazepine, phenytoin and other hepatic enzyme-inducing medications may shorten half-life. [83] Dose adjustments should be made on clinical response, but monitoring may be of benefit in assessing compliance. [5]
Keppra (levetiracetam) – an anticonvulsant drug which is sometimes used as a mood stabilizer and has potential benefits for other psychiatric and neurologic conditions such as Tourette syndrome, anxiety disorder, and Alzheimer's disease; Klonopin – anti-anxiety and anti-epileptic medication of the benzodiazepine class
Anticonvulsants The mainstay treatment of epilepsy is anticonvulsant medications, possibly for the person's entire life. [ 26 ] The choice of anticonvulsant is based on seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, other medications used, other health problems, and the person's age and lifestyle. [ 148 ]
Since the drugs make people less hungry, eating can lose its appeal. And if a person were to overeat while on the medication, they would likely experience unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.
Although there are many medications to help prevent seizures, there are still more than 30% of the 70 million people that have drug resistant seizures throughout their life. There are 20% of children that have shown to be pharmacoresistance to trials of multiple antiepileptic drugs.