Osmosis video - Nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants

Nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants are a class of drugs used to treat seizures, headaches, and neuropathic pain. These drugs are also used as mood stabilizers for bipolar disorders. Nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants decrease excitatory signals in the brain, primarily by blocking sodium and calcium channels, or by enhancing the actions of GABA. This lead to a decrease in the abnormal electrical activity in the brain responsible for the associated symptoms.

Common examples of nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants include carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproic acid. Side effects include double vision, ataxia, and liver toxicity for carbamazepine; Stevens Johnson syndrome for lamotrigine; and teratogenic effects like neural tube defects for valproic acid.