Anticonvulsants are medications that are used to control seizures.
Anticonvulsants
Brand/Generic Drug Names
Diamox/acetazolamide, Dilantin/phenytoin, Zarontin/ethosuximide, Celontin/methsuximide, Tegretol/carbamazepine, Klonopin/clonazepam, Valium/diazepam, gabapentin, MgSO4, paraldehyde, Luminal/phenobarbital, Depakene]/valproic acid, Tranxene/clorazepate, Peganone/ethotin, Mesantoin/mephenytoinParadione/paramethadione, Phenurone/phenacemide, Milontin/phensuximide, Mysoline/primidone, Tridione/trimethadione
Common uses
Hydantoins: generalized tonic-clonic and psychomotor seizures, status epilepticus
Succinimides: absence seizures (petit mal)
Barbiturates: generalized tonic-clonic and cortical focal seizures
Pharmacology
Hydantoins: inhibit spread of seizure activity in motor cortex
Succinimides: inhibit spike and wave formation, decrease amplitude, frequency, duration and spread of discharge in seizures
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines: discussed in their separate writeups
Class contraindications
allergy
Class precautions
renal and hepatic disease
Interactions
decreased effect of estrogen, oral contraceptives (hydantoins)
Adverse Reactions
gastrointestinal symptoms, bone marrow depression, gingival hyperplasia, central nervous system effects
Additional Information
Assess renal function, complete blood count, hepatic function
Assess for mental status changes, eye problems, allergic reactions, blood dyscrasias, toxicity
Administer with food or milk to decrease gastrointestinal problems
Perform good oral hygiene
Evaluate therapeutic response: decreased seizure activity
Date of most recent Update
August 06, 2002
Further information is available in the writeup for the
specific name(s) of this medication class