Anticonvulsant Anticonvulsant Autodialer alarm Category="Anticonvulsants"Category="Pharmacologic agents"The anticonvulsants, sometimes also called antiepileptics, belong to a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in prevention of the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

Many typical anticonvulsants work by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the brain.

Barbiturates

Main article: Barbiturates

Barbiturates are drugs that acts as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild Sedation to Anesthesia. Some also are used as anticonvulsants.

The following are barbiturates:

methylphenobarbital
Phenobarbital
phenobarbitone
phenobarbitone sodium
barbexaclone
metharbital

Benzodiazepines

Main article: Benzodiazepines

The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with Hypnotic, Anxiolytic, anticonvulsive, amnestic and Muscle relaxant properties. They are believed to act on the GABA_A receptor, the activation of which dampens higher neuronal activity. They began to be widely prescribed for stress-related ailments in the 1960s and 1970s.

Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling Anxiety. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.

These drugs are preferred to the use of barbiturates because they have a lower abuse potential and relatively lower adverse reactions and interactions. However, drowsiness, ataxia, confusion, Vertigo, impaired judgement, and a number of other effects are still common.

The following are benzodiazepines. These drugs are listed in order of the shortest acting to the longest acting (by the approximate Half-life of the drug), however this time may greatly vary between persons.

Triazolam ("Halcion") - 2 hours
Midazolam ("Versed") - 3 hours [1.8-6 hours]
Oxazepam ("Serax") - 4-15 hours
Chlordiazepoxide ("Librium") - 5-25 hours
Alprazolam ("Xanax") - 6-12 hours
Temazepam ("Restoril") 8-20 hours
Lorazepam ("Ativan") 10-20 hours
Bromazepam ("Lexotan") 10-20 hours
Estazolam ("ProSom") 10-24 hours
Flunitrazepam ("Rohypnol") 18-26 hours. Considered a "date-rape drug"
Clonazepam ("Klonopin", "Rivotril") 18-50 hours
Quazepam ("Doral") 25-100 hours
clorazepate ("Tranxene") 36-100 hours
medazepam ("Nobrium") 36-150 hours
prazepam ("Centrax") 36-200 hours
Diazepam ("Valium") 36-200 hours
Flurazepam ("Dalmane") 40-250 hours

Bromides

Main article: Bromides

Potassium bromide

Carbamates

Main article: Carbamates

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Meprobamate ("Miltown")^{[:Anticonvulsant}}#endnote_biamMiltown]}
emylcamate^{[:Anticonvulsant}}#endnote_biamStriatran]}
phenprobamate

Carboxamides

Main article: Carboxamides

The following are carboxamides:

Fatty Acids

Main article: Fatty acids

The following are fatty-acids:

the valproates-Valproic acid, sodium valproate, and divalproex sodium
Vigabatrin
Progabide
Tiagabine

Vigabatrin and progabide are also analogs of GABA.

Fructose Derivatives

Main article: Fructose

Topiramate^{[:Anticonvulsant}}#endnote_fructose]}

GABA Analogs

Hydantoins

Main article: Hydantoins

As hydantoins have a slow onset of action, they are not recommended for acute control of Epilepsy.

The following are hydantoins:

ethotoin
Phenytoin
mephenytoin
Fosphenytoin

Oxazolidinediones

Main article: Oxazolidinediones

The following are oxazolidinediones:

paramethadione
trimethadione
ethadione

Propionates

Main article: Propionates

beclamide

Pyrimidinediones

Main article: Pyrimidinediones

Primidone

Pyrrolidines

Main article: Pyrrolidines

Levetiracetam^{[:Anticonvulsant}}#endnote_kepprachemclass]}

Succinimides

Main article: Succinimides

The following are succinimides:

Ethosuximide
phensuximide
mesuximide

Sulfonamides

Main article: Sulfonamides

sultiame
methazolamide
Zonisamide

Triazines

Main article: Triazines

Lamotrigine

Ureas

Main article: Ureas

pheneturide
phenacemide

Valproylamides (Amide Derivatives of Valproate)

Main article: Amides

References and End Notes

FELBAMATE Biam
MEPROBAMATE Biam
EMYLCAMATE Biam
Green, Ben Focus on Topiramate - a new anti-epileptic Priory Lodge Education Ltd., 1997-99. Focus on Topiramate First published May 1997. Version 1.1
Neyens LG, Alpherts WC, Aldenkamp AP. "Cognitive effects of a new pyrrolidine derivative (levetiracetam) in patients with epilepsy." Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 1995 May;19(3):411-9. PMID 7624492 Elsevier Fulltext