| Antiepilepsy drug | Mechanism of action |
|---|---|
| barbiturates: primidone (Mysoline, phenobarbital) | enhances GABAergic inhibition |
| carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Carbatrol) | Inhibits voltage-dependent sodium channels |
| ethosuximide (Zarontin) | Modifies low-threshold or transient neuronal calcium currents |
| felbamate (Felbatol) | Unknown |
| gabapentin (Neurontin) | Unknown |
| lamotrigine (Lamictal) | Inhibits voltage-dependent sodium channels, resulting in decreased release of the excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate |
| phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) | Blocks sodium-dependent action potentials; reduces neuronal calcium uptake |
| valproate (Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, valproic acid) | Reduces high-frequency neuronal firing and sodium-dependent action potentials; enhances GABA effects |
Adapted from: Schachter SC. Treatment of seizures. In: Schachter SC, Schomer DL, eds. The comprehensive evaluation and treatment of epilepsy. San Diego, CA: Academic Press; 1997. p. 61-74. With permission from Elsevier (www.elsevier.com).
