Article: Anticonvulsants: Depakote, Neurontin, Tegretol and Topamax
Anticonvulsants, also referred to as antiepileptic drugs or AEDs, belong to a particular group of chemicals meant to prevent the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Acting as mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants are also used for bipolar disorder and migraine headaches treatment. By suppressing the excessive neuron firing which may result in a seizure, anticonvulsants prevent the spread of the seizure within the human brain, as well as protect the brain from the negative impact of potential excitotoxic effects.
Seizures stand for a disorder accompanied by an imbalanced electrical activity in the brain provoking a partial or complete loss of consciousness. Thus, anticonvulsants are effective for reducing the frequency of electrical impulses to control the seizures, and that is why some specialists accuse these drugs of lowering the IQ.
Anticonvulsants are prescription medications which should be taken according to the doctor's recommendations. Once a dosage is adjusted, it shouldn't be exceeded; otherwise it may result in serious side effects. It is important to know that if patients start taking anticonvulsants, they need to continue the treatment for life long.
The group of anticonvulsants includes such medications as Depakote, Neurontin, Tegretol and Topamax.
Anticonvulsants: Depakote
Depakote, also known as divalproex sodium and sodium hydrogen bis (a chemical name), is a drug for bipolar disorder and manic depression treatment, consisting of valproic acid and sodium valproate. In the US the drug is also used to treat migraine headaches, epilepsy and chronic pain provoked by neuropathy. In the UK Depakote is sold only for psychiatric conditions. In some cases Depakote can act coupled with other seizure drugs.
As a prescription medication, Depakote should be taken in particular amounts recommended by the doctor. A patient should drink a lot of water while using Depakote; if one doesn't get enough fluid daily, the dosage will be changed.
To prevent a negative effect of Depakote on the liver, it is important to pass medical tests before starting the treatment. One should take the drug on a regular basis in order to prevent seizures from recurring.
Depakote may lead to severe side effects, including liver damage which can be identified by such symptoms as vomiting, dark urine, fever or loss of appetite. Women who are pregnant or planning to become ones aren't recommended to take Depakote, as it can result in serious birth defects in a fetus.
Anticonvulsants: Neurontin
Neurontin, or gabapentin, is a mood stabilizer which is usually applied to patients suffering from bipolar disorder, seizures and nerve pain provoked by herpes zoster infection. Neurontin acts by affecting nerves and chemicals which are associated with the cause of pain and seizures.
Neurontin can be used alone or in combination with other drugs for seizures in adults or children older than 12 years old. In some cases the drug can be taken by children aged 3 to 12 to prevent the occurrence of partial seizures.
Those who want to start treatment with Neurontin should keep in mind that this drug isn't recommended for use in patients with kidney or liver problems and heart disease. Besides, pregnant women should avoid using Neurontin, as it may be harmful for an unborn baby.
Neurontin is taken with or without food, on a regular basis. In case patients don't notice any improvements while using this medication, they need to keep taking Neurontin according to the prescription. It is important to lower the dosage step by step rather than to stop using the drug suddenly.
Possible side effects include confusion, body aches, chills, fever, swelling of the ankles and feet, increased seizures, flu symptoms, easy bruising or tremor.
Anticonvulsants: Tegretol
Tegretol, or carbamazepine, is a mood stabilizer which was recognized highly effective despite the fact that is had not received FDA approval for bipolar disorder treatment. Tegretol works by reducing nerve impulses responsible for the threat of seizures. Tegretol isn't recommended for use in patients having such conditions as heart disease or heart block, porphyria, a history of severe side effects from any medications, glaucoma, lupus, liver or kidney disease or a history of mental illness. Besides, to prevent an undesirable effect on a fetus, pregnant women should avoid taking this drug.
In some cases Tegretol may impair action of the blood cells responsible for fighting infections. As a result, it will become easier for a patient to bleed from an injury or to get contaminated while being around sick people. To prevent such conditions, one should pass blood tests regularly and check whether the blood cells don't get too low.
Patients aren't recommended to stop using Tegretol all of a sudden: usually it takes about 4 weeks to notice any changes for the better.
Tegretol side effects include constipation, decreased sense of taste, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, dry mouth and throat, unsteadiness, nausea, vomiting, impaired urination, indigestion and diarrhea.
Anticonvulsants: Topamax
Topamax is a medication meant for seizure treatment. It can be used alone or coupled with other drugs to prevent adults or children not younger than 2 years old from having seizures or migraine headaches. It is important to know that Topamax is effective for preventing the migraine attacks, not for treating the existing ones.
Topamax isn't recommended for use in people who have glaucoma, emphysema, a history of kidney stones, kidney disease, asthma, bronchitis, or liver disease, as well as in pregnant women and those who have a recent history of surgery.
Another critical consideration is that Topamax is likely to reduce the effect of birth control pills, so women who are using this type of contraception should see their doctor before starting treatment with Topamax.
The common side effects include difficulty urinating, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, confusion, increased body temperature, drowsiness, dry skin, sudden vision loss, fainting, convulsions and lightheadedness.
Anticonvulsants: Comparison
As a powerful anti-anxiety agent Neurontin is more effective for stabilizing mood and treating depression than Depakote and Tegretol. Moreover, Neurontin has no interaction with Depakote, Tegretol, lithium and MAO inhibitors, so one can use a combination of drugs to treat different aspects of seizure disorder. However, while other anticonvulsants should be taken two times a day, Neurontin is prescribed to be used more frequently, up to four times daily. As for Topamax, its main advantage over other anticonvulsants is that it doesn't result in weight gain and even can help patients lose weight. However, Topamax may lead to more serious side effects than Depakote, Tegretol and Neurontin. Topamax and Neurontin can be taken together, but the combination of Depakote or Tegretol with Topamax isn't recommended for use.
Patients suffering from epilepsy or headache should take the combination of Topamax and Depakote, while those who only have headaches had better use Topamax only. In case a patient has impaired vision and suffers from severe headaches, a good solution is Neurontin, but not Topamax which may aggravate vision problems.
All the four drugs aren't recommended for use in pregnant women. If a woman is under birth control pills and suffers from changes in mood, she should take Tegretol rather than Topamax which can reduce the effect of pills.