Effect of GABA-ergic drugs on flunarizine-induced seizures in rabbits

In this study the authors have evaluated the effects of common antiepileptic drugs given alone or in combinations with baclofen on seizures evoked by intravenous flunarizine in rabbits. The abolition of clonic and clonic-tonic convulsions was taken as the end point. Baclofen was able to inhibit convulsions only in a relatively high dose (5 mg/kg). Diazepam (1.5 mg/kg) and clonazepam (2 mg/kg) completely abolished clonic seizures. Valproate (20 mg/kg) inhibited clonic seizures and remained without effect on tonic convulsions. Other antiepileptics such as carbamazepine and acetazolamide were found inactive in this respect. Moreover, combinations of acetazolamide (100 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (50 mg/kg) with baclofen (2 mg/kg) had no anticonvulsant effect. Thus, mainly GABA modulatory drugs reveal significant action against flunarizine-induced seizures.