Anticonvulsant is a type of drug used to treat or prevent seizures. Seizures are episodes of overactive brain function in which people may lose consciousness or experience sensory or emotional disturbances. Convulsions are a type of seizure during which violent, involuntary muscle contractions occur. Anticonvulsants are the primary drugs for treating epilepsy, a disease that involves recurring seizures.
Scientists do not know exactly how anticonvulsants work. During a seizure, excessive electrical activity takes place in the brain. This activity can begin in widespread areas of the brain, or it can start in limited parts of the brain and spread to other parts. Scientists think anticonvulsants may prevent the electrical activity from starting or reduce its spread to other parts of the brain.
Throughout history, people have used many magical, religious, or medicinal agents to attempt to prevent seizures. During the 1800’s, drugs called bromides were found to be somewhat effective against seizures. However, these agents often caused mental disturbances and other harmful side effects. The use of bromides as anticonvulsants became obsolete during the first half of the 1900’s, when much safer and more effective drugs were introduced. These drugs included phenobarbital (Luminal) and phenytoin (Dilantin). Other anticonvulsants widely used today include carbamazepine, clonazepam, and valproic acid.
Some anticonvulsants are taken only by mouth. Others are usually taken by mouth but also may be injected into a vein. All anticonvulsants are very powerful and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
