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Related Concept Videos

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.
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Seizures l: Introduction01:20

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Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
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Lacosamide: in partial-onset seizures.

Sarah A Cross1, Monique P Curran

  • 1Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand.

Drugs
|March 28, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Lacosamide, an antiepileptic drug, effectively reduces partial-onset seizures by enhancing sodium channel function. It is well-tolerated in oral and intravenous forms for adults with uncontrolled epilepsy.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Lacosamide is a functionalized amino acid with a novel mechanism of action.
  • Its antiepileptic effects involve selective enhancement of slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral lacosamide in adult patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.
  • To assess the bioequivalence of oral and intravenous lacosamide formulations.

Main Methods:

  • Pooled data analysis from three phase II/III studies involving 1308 adult patients.
  • 12-week maintenance phase to assess seizure frequency reduction.
  • Comparison of lacosamide (200 or 400 mg/day) versus placebo in add-on therapy.

Main Results:

  • Oral lacosamide significantly increased the percentage of patients achieving >=50% reduction in seizure frequency compared to placebo (34-40% vs 23%).
  • A significantly greater median percentage reduction in seizure frequency was observed with lacosamide 400 mg/day versus placebo.
  • Lacosamide was generally well-tolerated, with dizziness being the most common adverse event. Intravenous formulations were also well-tolerated.

Conclusions:

  • Oral lacosamide is an effective add-on therapy for adults with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.
  • Lacosamide demonstrates favorable tolerability in both oral and intravenous forms.
  • The drug's novel mechanism targeting sodium channel inactivation contributes to its antiepileptic properties.