Tuesday 15 May 2012

Fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants


A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.

Fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants appear to increase the availability of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. They have several mechanisms of action. They have inhibitory action against GABA transaminase, which breaksdown GABA. This leads to increased concentration of GABA in the synapses. Other proposed mechanisms of action that account for their anticonvulsant properties is they either enhance the action of GABA or mimic its action at postsynaptic receptor sites. They also block voltage gated sodium channels and T-type calcium channels, and cause inhibitory activity in the brain.


Fatty acid derivatives are broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drugs, which are effective against most types of seizures. They can be used to treat absence seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and complex partial seizures.

See also

Medical conditions associated with fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants:

  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Epilepsy
  • Hyperekplexia
  • Mania
  • Migraine Prevention
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Seizure Prevention
  • Seizures

Drug List:

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