Anticonvulsant

The anticonvulsants, sometimes also called antiepileptics, belong to a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in prevention of the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

Many typical anticonvulsants work by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the brain.

Barbiturates

Main article: Barbiturates

Barbiturates are drugs that acts as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. Some also are used as anticonvulsants.

The following are barbiturates:

methylphenobarbital

phenobarbital

*phenobarbitone

*phenobarbitone sodium

primidone

barbexaclone

metharbital

Hydantoins

Main article: Hydantoins

As hydantoins have a slow onset of action, they are not recommended for acute
control of epilepsy.

The following are hydantoins:

ethotoin

phenytoin

mephenytoin

fosphenytoin

Oxazolidines

Main article: Oxazolidines

The following are oxazolidines:

paramethadione

trimethadione

ethadione

Succinimides

Main article: Succinimides

The following are succinimides:

ethosuximide

phensuximide

mesuximide

Benzodiazepines

Main article: Benzodiazepines

The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsive, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. They are believed to act on the GABA receptor GABA_A, the activation of which dampens higher neuronal activity. They began to be widely prescribed for stress-related ailments in the 1960s and 1970s.

Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.

These drugs are preferred to the use of barbiturates because they have a lower abuse potential and relatively lower adverse reactions and interactions. However, drowsiness, ataxia, confusion, vertigo, impaired judgement, and a number of other effects are still common.

The following are benzodiazepines. These drugs are listed in order of the shortest acting to the longest acting (by the approximate half-life of the drug), however this time may greatly vary between persons.

triazolam ("Halcion") - 2 hours

midazolam ("Versed") - 3 hours [1.8-6 hours]

oxazepam ("Serax") - 4-15 hours

chlordiazepoxide ("Librium") - 5-25 hours

alprazolam ("Xanax") - 6-12 hours

temazepam ("Restoril") 8-20 hours

lorazepam ("Ativan") 10-20 hours

bromazepam ("Lexotan") 10-20 hours

estazolam ("ProSom") 10-24 hours

flunitrazepam ("Rohypnol") 18-26 hours. Considered a "date-rape drug"

clonazepam ("Klonopin", "Rivotril") 18-50 hours

quazepam ("Doral") 25-100 hours