An agent that prevents or relieves seizures or epileptic attack.
Drugs most commonly used for the treatment of seizures. Anticonvulsants also may be effective in preventing or treating mania and depression in patients with bipolar disorder, hence their other name, mood stabilizers. They are used to treat refractory depression as well.
An agent that reduces or relieves convulsions or cramps.
A substance that prevents or relieves convulsions.
Agent that helps arrest or prevent convulsions.
A drug used to prevent the appearance of the symptoms of convulsion such as is found in some forms of epilepsy.
Pharmacological agents that raise the seizure threshold or prevent seizure activity.
Drugs used to control seizures. Anticonvulsants are used to treat epilepsy and other seizure disorders, such as a seizure following neurosurgery and a seizure associated with brain tumors. Anticonvulsants act on the central nervous system by inhibiting activity in the part of the brain responsible for grand mal or generalized seizures in which the entire body shakes uncontrollably. A doctor will choose a particular anticonvulsant based on the type of seizure being treated.
A drug that prevents or reduces the severity of fits (convulsions) in various types of epilepsy. Some anticonvulsants, such as sodium valproate, are used to treat all types of epileptic fits. Others are used only for grand mal epilepsy (e.g. ethotoin, phenytoin, and pheneturide) or for petit mal fits (e.g. ethosuximide, phensuximide, and ‘troxidone). Tranquilizers, such as diazepam, are also used to control epileptic fits. Side-effects occur frequently with some anticonvulsants and the dosage must be carefully adjusted.
Drugs that reduce or prevent the severity of an epileptic convulsion or seizure. The nature of the fit, and the patient’s reaction to it, influences the type of anticonvulsant used. Anticonvulsants inhibit the high level of electrical activity in the brain that causes the fit. Among regularly used anticonvulsants are carbamazepine, sodium valproate, clonazepam, lamotrigine, gabapentin, vigabatrin, and topiramate. Older drugs such as phenytoin and primidone remain useful in some patients. Intravenous anticonvulsants, such as diazepam, are used for rapid control of epileptic status.
A pharmaceutical agent that mitigates or thwarts paroxysmal maladies, namely epileptic seizures.