Meds that replaced barbituates?

slipss

I was wondering does anyone know what medications replaced barbituates in the treatment of epilepsy, generic med names if you know them? Thanks.

Vorsprung

Carbamezapine, sodium valproate are used as anti-epilieptics these days I think, maybe Magnesium sulphate too but not sure about that one, it's used in pregnant women anyway to prevent eclampsia but not sure how it works.

DrIndy

Barbiturates are tranquilisers and so they reduce the seizure threshold by downregulating neuronal activity as a whole by acting on the GABA receptor. They are very addictive and withdrawal caused significant seizures, even in normal people.

Hence they are out of fashion, but some people were started on them years ago and since they are since stable in their epilepsy, are not changed over as it may invoke further seizures until stable on new medications.

Benzodiazepines also have an effect on seizure thresholds in the same way and long acting benzodiazepines are rarely used now, but are quite effective in preventing seizures. Addiction and withdrawal are also a big problem.

These were then replaces by the grand tranquiliser groups such as Phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate - which are very effective drugs, not sedating and nowhere near the same withdrawal problems.

These have now been superceded with a new generation which have even less side effects such as drowsiness, slowed thoughts etc.... these include lamotrignine, oxcarbazepine, levotiracetam, pregabalin etc.......

slipss

Thanks.