Mechanisms of Action for the Commonly Used Antiepileptic Drugs: Relevance to Antiepileptic Drug-Associated Neurobehavioral Adverse Effects

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1S) ◽  
pp. S6-S14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raman Sankar ◽  
Gregory L. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action

scholarly journals Adverse effects of topiramate in patients with epilepsy in a tertiary care hospital: observational study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 720
Author(s):  
Subahan S. P. ◽  
Kulandaiammal M. ◽  
Arunan S.
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Medication Compliance ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
Favourable Pharmacokinetic Profile

Background: Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by paroxysmal cerebral dysrhythmia. Conventional antiepileptic drugs such as Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and sodium valproate, have been proven to have good therapeutic effects. There are currently more than 10 different adjuvants which are approved for use in epileptics. Topiramate, a second-generation antiepileptic drug, is being used for several types of partial-onset and generalized-onset seizures. Effective treatment of epilepsy depends on medication compliance. The incidence of adverse effects is an important issue when antiepileptic drugs are prescribed to treat epilepsy. This study was done in Department of Neurology to observe the adverse effects of Topiramate in patients with epilepsy in a Tertiary care hospital.Methods: For this study 100 patients receiving topiramate as an adjuvant drug along with regular anti epileptic drugs were enrolled in the study for prescheduled three months. Data of the patients were collected.Results: In this study we observed that paresthesia (31%) was the commonly noted adverse effect followed by cognitive impairment (24%), sleepiness (19%), nausea (13%), anorexia (9%) and weight loss (4%).Conclusions: Topiramate is a potent antiepileptic drug effective against most seizure types and has relatively favourable pharmacokinetic profile. It is appropriate for initial monotherapy as well as for adjuvant therapy in refractory patients. The major problem limiting its use is the frequent occurrence of cognitive adverse effects, especially expressive language dysfunction, which are reversible upon discontinuation of the medication.

Overview of Lamotrigine and the New Antiepileptic Drugs: The Challenge

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S48-S52 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Pellock
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Adjunctive Therapy ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Childhood Epilepsy ◽  
Major Advance ◽  
New Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Titration Schedule

Lamotrigine, like all antiepileptic drugs, can be effective when used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. In general, adverse effects are reduced when monotherapy is employed. The most frequent adverse effect prompting withdrawal of lamotrigine is rash. This potentially life-threatening adverse effect occurs more frequently in children, is increased when a rapid dose titration schedule is employed, and is greater when lamotrigine is prescribed in combination with valproate. The availability of lamotrigine and other antiepileptic drugs represents a major advance for the treatment of childhood epilepsy. The challenge in using all of the new antiepileptic drugs, including lamotrigine, is to balance the expected improved efficacy with the potentially serious adverse effects. (J Child Neurol 1997;12(Suppl 1):S48-S52).

scholarly journals Antiepileptic Drug Mechanisms of Action

Epilepsia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 34 (s5) ◽  
pp. S1-S8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Macdonald ◽  
Kevin M. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action

scholarly journals How Antidepressant Drugs Affect the Antielectroshock Action of Antiseizure Drugs in Mice: A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2521
Author(s):  
Kinga K. Borowicz-Reutt
Keyword(s):  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Antidepressant Drugs ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Maximal Electroshock ◽  
Anticonvulsant Action ◽  
Mes Test ◽  
Seizure Model ◽  
Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Depression coexists with epilepsy, worsening its course. Treatment of the two diseases enables the possibility of interactions between antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs. The aim of this review was to analyze such interactions in one animal seizure model—the maximal electroshock (MES) in mice. Although numerous antidepressants showed an anticonvulsant action, mianserin exhibited a proconvulsant effect against electroconvulsions. In most cases, antidepressants potentiated or remained ineffective in relation to the antielectroshock action of classical antiepileptic drugs. However, mianserin and trazodone reduced the action of valproate, phenytoin, and carbamazepine against the MES test. Antiseizure drug effects were potentiated by all groups of antidepressants independently of their mechanisms of action. Therefore, other factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) modulation, should be considered as the background for the effect of drug combinations.

scholarly journals First, do no harm: the risks of overtreating children with epilepsy

2007 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice Chuang ◽  
Marilisa M. Guerreiro ◽  
Sara Y. Tsuchie ◽  
Angelica Santucci ◽  
Carlos A. M. Guerreiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Seizure Frequency ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Do No Harm ◽  
A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Although overtreatment with antiepileptic drugs contributes to the morbidity associated with epilepsy, many children still are overtreated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the withdrawal of at least one antiepileptic drug (AED) in children with refractory epilepsy using polytherapy enable a better seizure control. METHOD: This was a prospective study. Children with refractory epilepsy using at least two AEDs were included. Once the patient, or guardian, agreed to participate in the study, one or more AED were slowly tapered off. The remaining AEDs dosages could be adjusted as needed, but a new AED could not be introduced. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were evaluated, three girls; ages ranging from 3 to 18 (mean=8.7 years). After at least one AED withdrawal, two (13.5%) patients became seizure free, seizures improved >50% in 5 (33.5%) patients, did not change in 5 (33.5%), and seizure frequency became worse in 3 (20%). Adverse events improved in 12 patients (80%). CONCLUSION: The withdrawal of at least one AED is a valuable option in the treatment of selected children with refractory epilepsy.

scholarly journals Association between Adverse Effects and Parental Beliefs about Antiepileptic Medicines

Medicina ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Ilić ◽  
Dragana Bogićević ◽  
Branislava Miljković ◽  
Sandra Vezmar-Kovačević
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiepileptic Drugs ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Febrile Seizures ◽  
Parental Beliefs ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Upset Stomach ◽  
Antiepileptic Medications ◽  
The University ◽  
Beliefs About Medications

Background and Aim: Adverse effects are common in children treated with antiepileptic medications and may affect parental beliefs about treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between adverse effects and parental beliefs about antiepileptic drugs used for the treatment of their children. Methods: The study was performed at the University Children’s Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia from 2013–2015. Parents of children treated with valproic acid, carbamazepine or lamotrigine, were eligible. They were asked to fill in the Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire (BMQ) and The Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP). Results: Parents of 127 children (average age 9.88 ± 4.16 years) of whom 111 had epilepsy (67 generalized, 44 focal) and 16 with febrile seizures participated in the study. Nervousness and/or agitation, weight gain, restlessness, headache, difficulty in concentrating, feeling of aggression and upset stomach were most frequent adverse effects, reported in 37% of the population. BMQ-specific necessity scores significantly correlated with parental education; parents with elementary school showed lower scores than those with higher education. The presence of difficulty in concentrating of their child was associated with higher BMQ concern scores (20.73 ± 4.25 vs. 18.99 ± 3.60, p = 0.043) as well as necessity scores (18.42 ± 3.31 vs. 16.40 ± 2.73, p = 0.017). Higher scores of BMQ-general overuse were reported in the presence of a headache (8.79 ± 2.81 vs. 7.64 ± 2.72, p = 0.027). Conclusions: The main finding of our study is that parental beliefs about antiepileptic drugs were associated with the presence of adverse effects. Understanding this relationship could allow physicians and pharmacists to structure better educational programs for parents of children treated with antiepileptic drugs. Education should be more focused towards understanding the adverse effects of antiepileptics which could alleviate parental concerns and strengthen their beliefs about the necessity of medication use in their children.

Level of physicians' awareness of antiepileptic drug adverse effects

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Ameen Mosleh Almohammadi ◽  
Ruqayah Mohamed Huzaim
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Drug Adverse Effects
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document