4 Medications for Seizure Disorders -Must know

Seizure disorder known as epilepsy, describes a condition of recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures occur due to a group of nerves producing a sudden surge in electrical activity in the brain, which temporarily interferes with normal brain functions. Epilepsy affects approximately 2 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Medications known as anticoagulants can completely prevent seizures in approximately one-third of those with epilepsy, and greatly decrease the frequency of seizures in another one-third of patients, according to the Merck Manual.

Medications for Seizure Disorders Medications for Seizure Disorders

GABApentin For Seizure Disorders

GABApentin works by increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA, in the brain. It is prescribing to treat partial seizures also known as focal seizures, which affect only one part of the brain. It believes according to MayoClinic.com, that some seizures occur due to a low level of GABA. Therefore, increasing the level of GABA may effectively reduce the frequency of seizures. This causes side effects including fatigue, dizziness, loss of balance, stomach upset and shortness of breath.

Lamotrigine and Seizure Disorders

Lamotrigine helps control partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures-formerly known as grand mal seizures, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome-a severe form of childhood epilepsy. Although the exact mechanism of action remains unknown, lamotrigine can inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, as described by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The side effects include dizziness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting and rash. Because the rash can become life threatening in 1 in 50 children treated with lamotrigine, this medication is not recommended for children under the age of 16.

Topiramate

Topiramate like lamotrigine, controls partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures and the seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It blocks sodium channels while also enhancing the activity of GABA, therefore reducing the incidence of seizures. It causes side effects including dizziness, impaired concentration, confusion, fatigue, speech difficulties and nausea.

Felbamate

Felbamate effectively treats partial seizures and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; however, because of the serious risk of toxicity, this medication is usually prescribed for those patients whose seizures are difficult to control. The exact mechanism of action remains a mystery, but felbamate does affect GABA receptors. The pregnant women or mothers who breastfeed should not take this felbamate. General side effects include anorexia, vomiting, insomnia, headache and dizziness. Felbamate can cause serious side effects including Aplastic anemia, a life-threatening condition that affects the ability of the bone marrow to produce new blood cells, and liver failure.

Can gabapentin cause joint pain?

No, Gabapentin doesn’t cause joint pain. Basically anti-seizure medications are considered to be the cause of joint pain. It is used as an alternative of pregabalin which is a medicine for nerve pain. If a patient experiences joint pain after taking pregabalin, the doctor recommends taking Gabapentin as an alternative because Gabapentin doesn’t cause joint pain.

What medications increase dopamine?

Treatment for boosting dopamine is only gave when it is treated and dopamine deficiency is found. Medications including Ropinirole and pramipexole are useful to treat dopamine deficiency. Not only medicines, but dopamine can be boosted by some of the other treatments also. Other treatments for a dopamine deficiency may include counseling, changing diet and lifestyle, physical therapy for muscle and movement problems.

Usage of Gabapentin 100 mg

Gabapentin 100 mg capsule is used to treat various forms of epilepsy. Doctors prescribe Gabapentin 100 mg Capsules to help treat epilepsy when the patient’s current treatment is not fully controlling his condition. Sometimes other medications fail to improve a patient’s condition and that is the time to consume Gabapentin 100 mg capsule. The capsule is also used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain caused by a variety of different diseases.

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