How do anti seizure medications work?

If you’re someone who has lived with epilepsy or knows someone who does, the word ‘seizure’ probably sends shivers down your spine. Seizures can be a pretty scary and unpredictable event, which makes managing them all the more important. This is where anti-seizure medications come in handy.

In this article, we’ll explain how anti seizure meds work in your body to reduce seizures and minimize their frequency. Here’s everything you need to know:

What Are Anti-Seizure Medications?

Anti-seizure medications are drugs used to control seizures caused by different kinds of disorders that affect the brain’s electrical signals.

Seizures occur when there is a sudden surge in abnormal electrical activity in the brain; it can cause convulsions – uncontrolled shaking – or loss of consciousness. Anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic drugs help manage these electrical impulses preventing excessive firing between nerve cells thereby reducing seizure occurrence.

Types of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an umbrella term for various different types of seizures that people may have experienced at some point in their lives. Some common types include:

Absence seizures: Typical time span lasts from 10-15 seconds; They usually involve staring off into space and maybe some eye blinking but do not trigger convulsions, falls or any physical movements

Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures: A whole-body muscle contraction followed by relaxation, along with loss of consciousness for approximately two minutes

Myoclonic Seziures: These involve brief single jerks affecting arms and shoulders sometimes other areas like necks etc., could also lead to unexpected fall-downs

There are numerous subcategories under each head type classification too such as: Complex partial siezures, Simple partial seziuries et alia.

Varying types heh? It surely is difficult to shoot at the right dartboards sometimes but man-oh-man antiseizure meds can sure help minimize these bouts.

How Do Anti-Seizure Medications Work?

Seizures are caused by a sudden and overwhelming electrical discharge in your brain. Anticonvulsant drugs work to help stabilize those impulses preventing overflow thereby helping reduce seizure frequency.

There are many different mechanisms of action for anti-seizure medications, which vary depending on the drug. But generally, they all try to do one or more of three things:

1) Increase neural inhibition
Neural inhibition occurs when neurotransmitters chemicals such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), Glycine and others that slow down nerve signals; enhancing it both reduces excitability in neurones with the hopes of limiting spread

2) Decrease neural excitation
The opposite behavior exhibited in point 1 above,these kind like Phenytoin will work against sodium channels inhibiting them completely: Not allowing any upto closing Ion channels and reducing overstimulation present via glutamate receptor related transmission processes

3)Reduce Calcium ion influx
Some medications such as Levetiracetam block calcium ions from entering the nerve cell renerdng it ineffective in conducting an electric current secondary implications being reduced excitatory edge for Neurons

Different antisezeiures will utilize distinct mechanisms – this varying approach isn’t so much about redundancy but specifically trying to tackle unique cases head-on i.e what type of siezures does an individual suffer from? resulting usage pertaining consequently thereto

Common Anti-Seizure Meds

Here’s a quick rundown on some commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication along with their efficacy levels.

Medication	FDA Approved Age Group	Efficacy
Lamotrigine	(6+)(1)	Good
Valproic acid/Sodium valproate	(2+)(2)	Above Average
Levetiracetam	(1+(3)	Good
Phenytoin	(Over 18 ) 4	Above average

Are There Any Side Effects of Anti-Seizure Meds?

Like all medications, there are potential side effects to anticonvulsants. Some common ones include drowsiness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems like nausea or upset stomach.

Other less common side effects might include skin rashes (eg Stevens-Johnson syndrome), mood swings & thoughts of possible self-harm as with newer drugs such as Eslicarbazepine Acetate (‘Aptiom’) that is a sodium-channel blocker which warns against new depressive symptoms suddenly arising post taking; It shall be worthwhile confirming with medicos in case experiencing any sorta unanticipated changes whilst under medication affiliated protocols

It’s important to note that everyone’s body chemistry differs so it affects each person differently.

Conclusion

Anti seizure medications can be nothing short of miraculous when it comes to helping individuals living with conditions prone to frequent seizures have a significantly better quality life. From impacting the individual mechanisms through which brain bodies happen these meds must work tirelessly at different sites simultaneously reducing firespaces between nerve cells bringing about calming influences precluding from extreme behaviour.

With the right medication plan tailored towards specific needs determined by qualified medical personnel: lifelines for sufferers could well become predominantly normal assisting them productively take part in daily routines without worry inducing aspects running amok!

References:

1. LAMICTAL XR Prescribing Information
2. Depakote ER prescribing information
3. Keppra prescribing information
4. Dilantin Prescribing Information