Ethosuximide
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Antiepileptics (New)
Summary
Ethosuximide is an antiepileptic drug used to treat seizures. More specifically, it is a narrow-spectrum antiepileptic that is particularly effective for treating absence seizures.
Ethosuximide works by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels in neurons. This decreases neuronal excitability and helps suppress seizure activity.
Common side effects of ethosuximide include sedation, vomiting, and dizziness.
Key Points
- Ethosuximide
- Mechanism
- Blocks voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels
- In particular, blocks the thalamic T-type calcium channels
- Inhibits the propagation of APs that trigger and sustain rhythmical burst discharges in thalamic neurons
- Blocks voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels
- Clinical Use
- Antiepileptic
- Narrow-spectrum
- Treats absence seizures
- First-line treatment for absence seizures
- Antiepileptic
- Side Effects
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Mechanism