Anti-convulsant medications are used to suppress the rapid and excessive firing of neurons that start a seizure. Anti-convulsants can sometimes prevent the spread of a seizure within the brain and offer protection against possible excitotoxic effects that may result in brain damage.
Examples include: sodium valproate, neurontin, topiramate and carbamazepine.
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Medications in this class can be used to treat:
- Absence seizures
- Acute seizures
- Bipolar disorders
- Corticofocal seizures
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Panic disorders
- Sedative/hypnotic (sleep aid)
- Simple and complex partial seizures
- Headache
- Pain
- Behavior difficulties (aggression)
- Mood stabilizers
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Possible side effects include:
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Amnesia
- Anorexia
- Ataxia (muscle incoordination)
- Confusion
- Diploplia (double vision)
- Drowsiness
- Dysarthria (speech disorder)
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements)
- Tremor
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
NOTE:
These medications should not be stopped abruptly. Please check with your doctor before discontinuing use.
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