Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsant Drugs

These are drugs used for epilepsy.

They control the abrupt electrical conductions in the brain.

They prevent seizures.

What is Epilepsy?

It is a chronic brain condition.

It is the sudden, rapid nerve firing in the brain.

The brain sometimes sends wrong signals.

The Types of Epilepsy

• • Focal Epilepsy - The seizure involves one side of the brain.
• • Generalized Epilepsy – It is a seizure that occurs in both sides of the brain.
• • Combined Epilepsy – It is the seizure event that includes both.
• • Unknown Epilepsy – It is a complex condition. It cannot be differentiated into the two forms.

What Are Epilepsy, Seizures, and Convulsions?

Epilepsy consists of more than one event of seizure within 24 hours.

It is a neurological disorder with episodes of seizures.

A seizure is a single occurrence of an event.

Not all seizures are epilepsy.

A seizure may be a brief stare spell.

Not all seizures are convulsions.

A seizure can be caused by many other conditions.

It includes a brain injury or any brain disorder.

A convulsion is a type of seizure that involves rhythmic muscle contractions.

It involves shaking the body.

Types of Seizures

Seizures are broadly classified into -

Generalized Seizures – The electrical signaling starts at both sides of the brain.

It can also affect one side.

It generally occurs in children.

The Generalized Seizures Involve-

• • Absence Seizure - It is a condition that causes a complete blank in the mind.
• • Atonic Seizure - In this, one loses muscle function. One immediately falls on the ground.
• • Clonic Seizure - Shaking of one or both sides of the body.
• • Myoclonic Seizure - Quick jerky movements affecting the muscles.
• • Tonic Seizures - It is the sudden stiffening of the muscles. It passes out without convulsions.
• • Tonic-clonic Seizures - It is the stiffening of muscles and loss of consciousness.
• • Reflex Seizures - They occur due to a trigger in the environment.
• • Febrile Seizures - They are caused by conditions of high fever.
• • Focal Seizures - They are localized to one side of the brain. It may not affect the awareness. It can spread to the other part.

It is of Two Types-

• • One loses awareness. The person does not remember the seizure.
• • A person does not lose awareness. One is able to remember the seizure.

What Are Anticonvulsant Medicines Used for?

These are widely used to treat –

• • Epilepsy
• • Seizures
• • Status Epilepticus

Other conditions, in which it is used off-label-

• • Bipolar disorders
• • Neuropathic pain
• • Migraine headaches
• • Anxiety disorders
• • Restless leg syndrome
• • Alcohol withdrawal

What Are the Anticonvulsant Medicines?

These are classified into –

Broad-spectrum Anticonvulsants – They are used in conditions when the cause is not known.

Narrow-spectrum Anticonvulsants- They are the anticonvulsants used to treat focal or generalized seizures.

The commonly used anticonvulsant medicines -

• • Carbamazepine tablets
• • Lacosamide tablets
• • Oxcarbazepine tablets
• • Topiramate tablets
• • Gabapentin tablets – Gabakast
• • Lacosamide tablets- Lacoaxis
• • Pregabalin tablets
• • Phenytoin tablets

What is the Working of Anticonvulsant Drugs?

These drugs prevent the abnormal firing of neurons.

They block the ions that cause neuronal conduction.

It includes –

• • Sodium channel blockers
• • Calcium channel blockers
• • Potassium channel activators

GABA Transaminase Inhibitors – These drugs inhibit the breakdown of GABA).

These drugs increase GABA levels in the brain.

GABA inhibits neuronal firing.

GABA Receptor Modulators - They bind to GABA binding sites.

It prolongs GABA activity in the brain. It inhibits neuronal firing.

The Common Side Effects of Anticonvulsant Drugs

These inhibit the nerve conduction. It leads to several side effects.

• • Mood changes
• • Dizziness
• • Fatigue
• • Anxiety
• • Weight changes
• • Nausea
• • Vomiting
• • Stomach upset
• • Abdominal pain

Which is the Top Anticonvulsant Drug Manufacturer?

Aprazer Healthcare is the leading pharmaceutical company from India.

We are the top manufacturers of life-saving drugs, including cancer drugs the drugs for brain disorders.

Our product range includes all types of neurology drugs.

• • Anticonvulsant drugs
• • Anti-Parkinson's medicines
• • Alzheimer medicines

Owing to the rise in mental health issues, we continue to discover and develop new drug molecules.

We manufacture a range of affordable psychotropic drugs-

• • Antidepressant medications
• • Anti-anxiety drugs

As the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, Aprazer Healthcare is recognized globally for its high-quality products.

We are the top anticonvulsant drug exporters from India