The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers. The goal of an anticonvulsant is to suppress the rapid and excessive firing of neurons that start a seizure. Failing this, a good anticonvulsant would prevent the spread of the seizure within the brain and offer protection against possible excitotoxic effects that may result in brain damage. There are several possible mechanisms of action: some of them block Sodium (Na+) channels and Calcium (Ca2+) channels, while some block AMPA receptors or NMDA receptors. Some anticonvulsants inhibit the metabolism of GABA or increase its release.

Anticonvulsants most commonly used are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Instead of using only one drug, people often take two or more anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures; possible interaction may cause several health problems.

Anticonvulsant drugs include medicines such as phenobarbitol, carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene). The drugs are available only with a physician's prescription and come in tablet, capsule, liquid, and "sprinkle" forms. The recommended dosage depends on the type of anti-convulsant, its strength, and the type of seizures for which it is being taken.

Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant drug that has been used since 1912 and it is still one of the better drugs for this purpose. Phenobarbital is used to treat infants (ages 0–1 year) with any type of seizure disorder, and other children with generalized, partial, or febrile seizures. It is also used for treatment of status epilepticus (seizures lasting longer than 15 minutes). The barbiturates, such as mephobarbital, and metharbital, are also sometimes used as anticonvulsants. Of the family of barbiturate drugs, these are the only three that are satisfactory for use over a long period of time. They act directly on the central nervous system and can produce effects such as drowsiness, hypnosis, deep coma, or death, depending upon the dose taken. Because they are habit forming drugs, the barbiturates probably are the least desirable to use as anticonvulsant drugs.

Valproic acid compounds are also antiepileptic drugs, though their mechanism of action is unknown. One of their major side effects is liver toxicity, appearing most often in young patients and in those who are taking more than one anticonvulsant drug.

Another class of anticonvulsant drugs, the succinimides, suppress the brain wave pattern leading to seizures and stabilizes the cortex against them. These are useful drugs in the treatment of petit mal epilepsy, and like phenytoin, must be withdrawn slowly.

Neurontin is another anticonvulsant medication belonging to the antiepileptic drug class. Another name for this drug is Gabapentin. It is a medication used as add-on therapy with other antiepileptic medications to treat partial seizures common among adults over 12 years old with epilepsy.


Sources:
1. Anticonvulsants - www.science.jrank.org
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticonvulsant

Tags: anticonvulsants, antiepileptic, antiseizure, drugs.

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