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Related Concept Videos

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
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...
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action01:23

Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action

Local anesthetics (LAs) block sensory and motor impulses by inhibiting the sodium channels on the nerve cell membranes. This induces temporary loss of sensation, relieving pain in a specific body area.
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics01:28

Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

Liddle syndrome is a genetically inherited form of hypertension characterized by the overactivity of epithelial sodium channels in the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. This heightened activity leads to increased sodium reabsorption and excessive excretion of potassium. To counteract this, potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride are used. They function by blocking these sodium channels, thereby reducing the influx of sodium into the epithelial cells and minimizing the loss of...
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...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings
07:31

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings

Published on: May 7, 2020

Adjunctive lacosamide in clinical practice: sodium blockade with a difference?

Linda J Stephen1, Kevin Kelly, Pamela Parker

  • 1Epilepsy Unit, Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. linda.stephen@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|September 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Lacosamide (LCM) is effective for partial-onset seizures, especially as a first add-on treatment. Patients on sodium valproate were more likely to discontinue LCM due to side effects or lack of efficacy.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings
07:31

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings

Published on: May 7, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Lacosamide (LCM) approved in the UK in 2008 for adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures.
  • LCM enhances sodium channel slow inactivation, differentiating its mechanism from other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report preliminary outcomes of adjunctive Lacosamide (LCM) in a real-world clinical setting for uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.
  • To evaluate LCM's efficacy and tolerability as an add-on therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • An audit included 113 patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, previously treated with 1-12 AED schedules.
  • LCM was added at 200-400mg/day, with reviews every 6-8 weeks to assess seizure freedom, ≥50% reduction, marginal benefit, or withdrawal.
  • Endpoints included seizure freedom for ≥6 months, ≥50% seizure reduction, <50% benefit, or LCM withdrawal due to efficacy or side effects.

Main Results:

  • Of 65 patients reaching an endpoint, 17 (26.2%) achieved seizure freedom on a median 100mg LCM dose.
  • Seizure freedom was significantly more likely when LCM was the first add-on (41.7%) versus later (3.7%).
  • LCM was withdrawn in 14 patients (21.5% of those at endpoint), primarily for sedation, ataxia, and dizziness; 8/21 patients on sodium valproate discontinued LCM.

Conclusions:

  • Adjunctive Lacosamide (LCM) is effective and well-tolerated for partial-onset seizures, particularly when used as an initial add-on therapy.
  • LCM's efficacy is comparable with traditional sodium channel blockers and other AED mechanisms when doses are optimized.
  • Concomitant use of sodium valproate increases the likelihood of LCM discontinuation, suggesting distinct pharmacological interactions.