Anticonvulsant
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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.
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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:
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:
Oxazolidines
Main article: Oxazolidines
The following are oxazolidines:
Succinimides
Main article: Succinimides
The following are succinimides:
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 receptor GABAA, 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
These drugs are not benzodiazepines, but have similar effects:
Carboxamides
Main article: Carboxamides
The following are carboxamides:
Fatty Acids
Main article: Fatty acids
The following are fatty-acids: