Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers, a class of antiepileptic drugs, regulate the flow of calcium ions within neurons.
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions01:25

Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Drug Interactions

Drug interactions occur when the pharmacological effect of one drug is altered by another substance, either enhancing or diminishing its activity. The drug whose activity is altered is known as the object drug, and the substance causing the alteration is called the agent drug or the precipitant. The net effects of these interactions are mostly undesirable, leading to decreased effectiveness or increased adverse effects. In rare cases, interactions can be beneficial, such as the enhanced...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Early-Onset Dementia Associated with a Heterozygous, Nonsense, and de novo Variant in the MBD5 Gene.

Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD·2021
Same author

Emergency implementation of telemedicine for epilepsy in Spain: Results of a survey during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B·2020
Same author

Genetic heterogeneity in infantile spasms.

Epilepsy research·2019
Same author

Eslicarbazepine acetate as monotherapy in clinical practice: Outcomes from Euro-Esli.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2018
Same author

Phenotypic spectrum of GABRA1: From generalized epilepsies to severe epileptic encephalopathies.

Neurology·2016
Same author

De novo loss-of-function mutations in CHD2 cause a fever-sensitive myoclonic epileptic encephalopathy sharing features with Dravet syndrome.

American journal of human genetics·2013

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
07:01

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Antiepileptic drug interactions.

Rosa Ana Saiz Díaz1, Jerónimo Sancho, José Serratosa

  • 1Department of Neurology, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain. rsaizdiaz@yahoo.com

The Neurologist
|February 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Understanding antiepileptic drug interactions is crucial for effective treatment. Newer drugs like levetiracetam offer safer options for patients with complex conditions, minimizing adverse effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Pharmacy
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are vital for managing epilepsy, pain, and psychiatric disorders.
  • Often used in polytherapy, AEDs require careful consideration of potential interactions.
  • Understanding these interactions prevents reduced efficacy and potentiated side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of antiepileptic drugs.
  • To highlight critical interactions relevant to daily clinical practice.
  • To guide the selection of AEDs in specific patient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antiepileptic drug interactions.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.

More Related Videos

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
06:58

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Published on: June 25, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
07:01

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice

Published on: May 16, 2019

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement
06:58

Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

Published on: June 25, 2016

  • Clinical practice guideline synthesis.

    • Main Results:

    • Older AEDs (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproic acid) exhibit significant interactions with each other and other medications.
    • Newer AEDs, while generally having better pharmacokinetic profiles, can still interact, especially when combined with older agents.
    • Clinically significant interactions necessitate careful management in patients on continuous treatments.

    Conclusions:

    • Awareness of AED pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions is essential.
    • Drugs like levetiracetam, gabapentin, and pregabalin are recommended for patients with cancer, transplants, on anticoagulants, or with HIV due to fewer interactions.
    • Ensuring AED efficacy and preventing complications are paramount in all patient cases.