ambossIconambossIcon

Anticonvulsant drugs

Last updated: February 3, 2022

Summarytoggle arrow icon

Anticonvulsant drugs are classified as either first-generation (classic) agents or second-generation agents. Second-generation anticonvulsants are usually better tolerated and have a broader therapeutic range than classic anticonvulsant drugs. The choice of drug is guided by the type of seizure. First-line treatment for focal seizures includes, e.g., lamotrigine or levetiracetam, while valproate is used for generalized seizures. While all anticonvulsants have dose-dependent side effects on the central nervous system (e.g., somnolence, nausea), select agents also have other side effects (e.g., gingival hyperplasia caused by phenytoin). Anticonvulsants are also used for pain management (e.g., carbamazepine or gabapentin) and as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorders (valproate).

For more information on the treatment of generalized seizures, see treatment of epileptic seizures.

Overviewtoggle arrow icon

Anticonvulsant drugs inhibit neural activity (↓ neural excitation, ↑ neural inhibition) and increase the seizure threshold by interacting with specific receptors and ion channels.

Overview of first-generation anticonvulsants [1]

Overview
Agent Indication Mechanism of action Adverse effects Contraindications Interactions

Valproate

Carbamazepine [4]

  • Inactivates Na+ channels

Ethosuximide

Phenytoin, fosphenytoin

  • Inactivation of Na+ channels
  • Zero-order elimination (i.e., constant rate of drug eliminated)
Phenobarbital
  • Cardiorespiratory depression
  • Tolerance and dependence
  • Sedation
  • Induces cytochrome P-450
Benzodiazepines
  • Sedation and dependence (see benzodiazepines)
  • Tolerance
  • Respiratory depression

Overview of second-generation anticonvulsants [1]

Overview
Agent Indication Mechanism of action Adverse effects Contraindications Interactions

Lamotrigine

  • Inhibition of voltage-gated Na+channels → glutamate release
  • Hypersensitivity
Tiagabine
  • Focal seizures, with or without impairment of consciousness (adjunctive therapy)
Levetiracetam
  • Not fully understood
  • Blockage of SV2A receptor GABA and/or glutamate release modulation and inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels
  • No significant interactions
Gabapentinoids Pregabalin (tentative FDA approval)
  • Inhibition of presynaptic P/Q-type Ca2+ channels via action on the α2δ-subunit → Ca2+ intracellular flow → glutamate release [1]
  • Does not bind to GABA receptors despite being a GABA analog
Gabapentin
Vigabatrin
  • None

Topiramate

  • Blockage of voltage-gated Na+
    channels
  • GABA
  • Glaucoma
  • Weight loss
  • Kidney stones
  • Cognitive dysfunction (e.g., decreased verbal fluency, cognitive speed, and working memory)
  • Sedation

You can use the following to remember the features of PHENYTOIN: cytochrome P-450 interaction, Hirsutism, Enlarged gums (gingival hyperplasia), Nystagmus, Yellow-browning of skin (melasma), Teratogenicity, Osteomalacia, Interacts with folate, Neuropathy

To remember that the most important side effects of ethoSUXimide are Steven-Johnson syndrome, fatigue, headache, ABdominal upset, and ALLErGies (e.g., urticaria), think of “It sucks that Steven's FATher has given everyone a headache with his ABsurd ALLEGorizations.”

To remember a crucial side effect of vigabatrin, think of “Vision goes away by accident.”

To remember that phenobarbital is first-line treatment for neonates, think of “Phenobarbital is phenomenal for treating babies.”

To remember that the most common side effects of topiramate are speech impairment, weight loss (light), cognitive impairment, sedation, and kidney stones, think of “It leaves you speechless how lightly the cog railway travels through sediments and stones to the top.”

References:[1][6]

Additional considerationstoggle arrow icon

  • Monotherapy should always be the first-line treatment: increase the dosage of the drug to the therapeutic range before initiating combination therapy
  • Combination therapy: drugs from different classes and/or with different pharmacologic modes of action for refractory seizures [7]
  • For more detailed approaches to seizure treatment and epilepsy, see treatment of epileptic seizures.

References:[6][7]

Special patient groupstoggle arrow icon

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Classic anticonvulsants (especially carbamazepine and sodium valproate!) should be avoided if possible → teratogenic effects
  • Newer anticonvulsants: lack of medical data and trials during pregnancy [8]
  • The choice of treatment depends on the type of seizure and which substance enables optimal control of seizures.
  • Approach
    • Optimize seizure control prior to conception.
    • Avoid multiple therapies.
    • Administer the drug at the lowest dose that controls seizures.
    • Monitor plasma drug levels regularly.

Referencestoggle arrow icon

  1. Katzung B,Trevor A. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. McGraw-Hill Education ; 2014
  2. Glauser T, Shinnar S, Gloss D, et al. Evidence-Based Guideline: Treatment of Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Children and Adults: Report of the Guideline Committee of the American Epilepsy Society. Epilepsy Currents. 2016; 16 (1): p.48-61.doi: 10.5698/1535-7597-16.1.48 . | Open in Read by QxMD
  3. Wen X, Wang J-S, Kivistö KT, Neuvonen PJ, Backman JT. In vitro evaluation of valproic acid as an inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 isoforms: preferential inhibition of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9). Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2001; 52 (5): p.547-553.doi: 10.1046/j.0306-5251.2001.01474.x . | Open in Read by QxMD
  4. Goldenberg MM. Overview of drugs used for epilepsy and seizures: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management. 2010; 35 (7): p.392-415.
  5. Zhang Y-X, Shen C-H, Lai Q-L, et al. Effects of antiepileptic drug on thyroid hormones in patients with epilepsy: A meta-analysis. Seizure. 2016; 35: p.72-79.doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2016.01.010 . | Open in Read by QxMD
  6. Le T, Bhushan V, Sochat M, Chavda Y. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2017. McGraw-Hill Education ; 2017
  7. Schmidt D, Schachter SC. Drug treatment of epilepsy in adults. BMJ. 2014; 348 (feb28 2): p.g254-g254.doi: 10.1136/bmj.g254 . | Open in Read by QxMD
  8. Tomson T, Battino D, Bromley R, et al. Executive Summary: Management of epilepsy in pregnancy: A report from the International League Against Epilepsy Task Force on Women and Pregnancy. Epilepsia. 2019; 60 (12): p.2343-2345.doi: 10.1111/epi.16395 . | Open in Read by QxMD
  9. Karow T, Lang-Roth R. Allgemeine und Spezielle Pharmakologie und Toxikologie. Dr. med. Thomas Karow (2012 und 2013) ; 2010
  10. Lüllmann H, Mohr K, Wehling M. Pharmakologie und Toxikologie. Thieme Verlag (2002) ; 2003
  11. Karow T, Lang-Roth R. Pharmakologie und Toxikologie. ; 2012

Icon of a lock3 free articles remaining

You have 3 free member-only articles left this month. Sign up and get unlimited access.
 Evidence-based content, created and peer-reviewed by physicians. Read the disclaimer