Drugs Used to Treat Seizures
Drugs Used to Treat Seizures
Drug | Use | Some Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
Acetazolamide | Absence seizures when other antiseizure drugs are ineffective | Kidney stones, dehydration, and chemical imbalances in the blood |
Cannabidiol | Dravet syndrome Tonic or atonic seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* | Drowsiness, liver damage, loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and diarrhea |
Carbamazepine | Focal-onset seizures Secondarily generalized-onset seizures (including focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures) | A low white blood cell count (granulocytopenia), production of too few blood cells (aplastic anemia, which can be fatal), a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), a severe rash, digestive upset, liver damage, slurred speech (dysarthria), lethargy, dizziness, and double vision |
Cenobamate | Focal-onset seizures with or without focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures† | Dizziness, double vision, sleepiness, fatigue and, rarely, suicidal thoughts |
Clobazam | Absence seizures Dravet syndrome Focal-onset or focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures† when other antiseizure drugs are ineffective Sometimes tonic or atonic seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* | Drowsiness, constipation, loss of coordination, thoughts of suicide, dependency on the drug, irritability, and difficulty swallowing |
Clonazepam | Atonic seizures Atypical absence seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* Epileptic (infantile) spasms Myoclonic seizures | Drowsiness, abnormal behavior, loss of coordination, and loss of effectiveness of the drug after 1 to 6 months |
Divalproex‡ | Absence seizures Epileptic spasms Febrile seizures Febrile Seizures Febrile seizures are seizures triggered by a fever of at least 100.4° F (about 38° C). Most febrile seizures are harmless and caused by fever resulting from a minor infection. Less often, a... read more Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Myoclonic seizures Neonatal seizures Infantile Spasms In infantile spasms, children suddenly raise and bend their arms, bend their neck and upper body forward, and straighten their legs. The spasms are usually caused by serious brain disorders... read more Tonic or atonic seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* | Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, temporary drowsiness, shaking (tremor), reversible hair loss, weight gain, and liver damage A somewhat higher risk of spinal cord, spine, or brain birth defects ( neural tube defects Neural Tube Defects and Spina Bifida Neural tube defects are a certain type of birth defect of the brain, spine, and/or spinal cord. Neural tube defects can result in nerve damage, learning disabilities, paralysis, and death. The... read more ) than with other antiseizure drugs |
Eslicarbazepine | Focal-onset seizures | Dizziness or shakiness, double or blurred vision, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, a low sodium level in the blood, thoughts of suicide, and skin reactions, such as rash (sometimes serious) |
Ethosuximide | Absence seizures | Nausea, lethargy, dizziness, headache, rash, and a low blood cell count (of all types of blood cells) |
Felbamate | Used only when other antiseizure drugs are ineffective Atypical absence seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* Focal-onset seizures | Headache, fatigue, liver failure, and, rarely, aplastic anemia (which can be fatal) |
Fosphenytoin§ | Focal impaired-awareness seizures Status epilepticus Focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures† Prevention of seizures after a head injury | Loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, itching, and tingling sensations |
Gabapentin | Focal-onset seizures Focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures† | Drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, and headache In children, sleepiness, aggressive behavior, mood swings, and hyperactivity |
Lacosamide | Focal-onset seizures | Dizziness, double vision, and thoughts of suicide |
Lamotrigine | Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures | Nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, loss of coordination, double vision, tremor, abnormal menstrual periods, and rash |
Levetiracetam | Focal-onset seizures Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Myoclonic seizures Generalized-onset seizures Status epilepticus | Dizziness, weakness, fatigue, loss of coordination, and changes in mood and behavior |
Oxcarbazepine | Focal-onset seizures | Headache, abdominal pain, double vision, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and low sodium levels in the blood |
Perampanel | Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures | Aggressiveness, changes in mood and behavior, thoughts of suicide, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, falls, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, headache, weight gain, abdominal pain, and problems walking |
Phenobarbital | Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures Neonatal seizures Status epilepticus | Drowsiness, abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), loss of coordination, anemia, and rash In children, hyperactivity and learning difficulties |
Phenytoin§ | Focal impaired-awareness seizures Focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures† Status epilepticus (phenytoin is given intravenously) Prevention of seizures after a head injury | Swollen gums, a low red blood cell count (anemia), loss of bone density, excessive hairiness (hirsutism), rash, and swollen glands When high doses of phenytoin are given, loss of coordination, slurred speech, abnormal eye movements, lethargy, confusion, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting |
Pregabalin | Focal-onset seizures | Dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, blurred vision, double vision, tremor, and weight gain |
Tiagabine | Focal-onset seizures | Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, slow thinking, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, and tremor |
Topiramate | Atypical absence seizures Dravet syndrome Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures | Confusion, reduced concentration, difficulty finding words, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, numbness or tingling, reduced sweating, and kidney stones |
Valproate‡ | Absence seizures Dravet syndrome Febrile seizures Focal-onset seizures Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures Epileptic spasms Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Myoclonic seizures Neonatal seizures Tonic or atonic seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* Status epilepticus | Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight gain, reversible hair loss, temporary drowsiness, tremor, and, rarely, liver damage A somewhat higher risk of spinal cord, spine, or brain birth defects ( neural tube defects Neural Tube Defects and Spina Bifida Neural tube defects are a certain type of birth defect of the brain, spine, and/or spinal cord. Neural tube defects can result in nerve damage, learning disabilities, paralysis, and death. The... read more ) than with other antiseizure drugs |
Vigabatrin | Epileptic spasms Focal-onset seizures | Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and permanent changes in vision |
Zonisamide | Focal-onset seizures Sometimes tonic or atonic seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome* | Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, difficulty finding words, loss of coordination, kidney stones, loss of appetite and weight, and nausea |
* Atypical absence seizures, atonic seizures, and tonic seizures usually occur as part of a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which begins before children are 4 years old. | ||
† Focal-to-bilateral seizures are seizures that start on one side of the brain and spread to both sides. | ||
‡ Divalproex and valproate are similar | ||
§ Fosphenytoin and phenytoin are similar. | ||