Anticonvulsants for children. Pills for epilepsy: an overview of anticonvulsants, a list of drugs Pills for epilepsy without a prescription

The action of anticonvulsants

The action of anticonvulsants is aimed at eliminating muscle spasms and epileptic seizures. Some of these drugs are taken in combination for best results. They not only relieve seizures, but also alleviate the general condition of the body. The first attempts at such treatment were undertaken at the end of the 9th and beginning of the 20th century. Then potassium bromide was used to fight seizures. Since 1912, Phenobarbital has been used. Since 1938, Phenytoin has been added to the list. Currently, modern medicine uses more than thirty drugs. Today, more than 70% of people suffer from mild epilepsy and are successfully treated with anticonvulsants. However, the treatment of severe forms of the disease remains one of the most pressing problems for scientists. Any prescribed medication must have anti-allergic properties without affecting the central nervous system. It is also necessary to exclude addiction, a feeling of apathy and weakness.

The main task of each remedy is to eliminate spasms without suppressing the central nervous system of psychophysical disorders. Any drug is prescribed only by a doctor after a comprehensive examination and a part of the brain. Antiseizure medications can last for several years, and in some cases, for life. This happens in the case of severe heredity or chronic form of the disease. In some situations, in addition to drug therapy, surgery is performed on the affected area of the brain.

Groups of anticonvulsants

Modern medicine classifies anticonvulsants according to the following scheme:

barbiturates;
hydantoin preparations;
oxazolidions;
succinamide-based medicines;
iminostilbenes;
tablets containing benzodiazepine;
valproic acid products

Anticonvulsants list

The main anticonvulsants are:

Phenytoin. It is used for seizures with status epilepticus. Its action is aimed at inhibiting nerve receptors and stabilizing membranes at the level of the cell body. The drug has a number of side effects: nausea, trembling, vomiting, involuntary eye rotation, dizziness.
Carbamazeline is used for large convulsive psychomotor seizures. It relieves severe attacks during the active stage of the disease. During the appointment, the patient's mood improves. But there are also a number of side effects: impaired blood circulation, drowsiness, dizziness. Contraindications are pregnancy and allergies.
Phenobarbital is used for epileptic seizures in conjunction with other drugs. The medicine calms and normalizes the nervous system. Pego should be taken for a long time. Cancellation occurs very carefully and gradually, as the elements of the drug accumulate in the body. Among the side effects of abnormal blood pressure, difficulty breathing. Cannot be used during lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also forbidden to use for renal failure, muscle weakness and alcohol dependence.
Clonazepam is used for myoclonic epilepsy and psychomotor seizures. The drug eliminates involuntary convulsions and reduces their intensity. The pills relax the muscles and the nervous system calms down. Side effects include disorders of the musculoskeletal system, fatigue, irritability, and prolonged depression. Contraindication to use is heavy physical work requiring increased concentration of attention, pregnancy, renal failure and liver disease. During treatment, it is imperative to stop drinking alcohol.
The action of the drug Lamotrigine is aimed at eliminating severe seizures, mild seizures and clonic and tonic seizures. It stabilizes the activity of neurons in the brain, which leads to a reduction in seizures, and over time they completely disappear. A side effect can be skin rash, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, tremors. It is not recommended to engage in physical work that requires increased concentration of attention during the treatment period.
Sodium volproate is prescribed for the treatment of severe psychomotor seizures, mild seizures, and myoclonic epilepsy. The medicine reduces the production of electrical impulses in the brain, eliminates anxiety and stabilizes the patient's mental state. Side effects are expressed by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory disorders and blood clotting. You can not take the medicine during pregnancy and lactation, with diseases of the pancreas, as well as hepatitis in various forms.
Primidone is used for psychomotor seizures and myoclonic epilepsy. The action of the drug inhibits the activity of neurons in the damaged area of the brain and eliminates involuntary spasms. Due to the fact that the drug causes increased agitation, it is not prescribed for children and the elderly. Side effects include nausea, allergies, anemia, headaches, lethargy, and addiction. Use is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in liver disease and renal failure.
Beclamide relieves generalized and partial seizures. It blocks electrical impulses in the head, reduces anxiety and relieves seizures. Side effects include dizziness, gastrointestinal irritation, weakness, and allergies. Use is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Benzobamil is prescribed for children with epilepsy, as well as for focal seizures. It is the least toxic drug and has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. Side effects include weakness, nausea, lethargy, and involuntary eye rotation. Treatment with the drug is contraindicated in cardiac, renal failure and liver disease.

Non-prescription anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are prescribed only by a doctor for serious medical conditions, so they can only be purchased with a prescription. Of course, you can try to buy them without a prescription, but this can seriously harm your health. If you order some medicines from an online pharmacy, then, often, you will not be asked for a prescription.

Anticonvulsants for the legs

If there is no epilepsy or nerve inflammation in the history of the disease, the following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of convulsions:

Valparin suppresses seizure activity in epileptic seizures. It does not have a pronounced sedative and hypnotic effect.
Xanax is a psychotropic drug that relieves feelings of anxiety, fear and emotional stress. It has a mild hypnotic effect.
Diphenin has a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant effect. It increases the pain threshold for neuralgia and shortens the duration of seizures.
Anti-interval relieves cramps, depression and anxiety. It is also used to prevent depressive disorders.
Keppra is an antiepileptic drug aimed at suppressing neuronal outbreaks and relieving seizures.

In no case should you take these medications on your own, since hypothermia, trauma, flat feet or a lack of certain vitamins can be the cause of seizures.

Anticonvulsants for children

Anticonvulsant therapy for children provides an individual approach to each little patient. The frequency of attacks is taken into account, at what time they occur, the general clinical picture. An important point in treatment is the correct selection of the drug and dose. The correct treatment can help in many cases to completely get rid of the seizures. First, small doses of the drug are prescribed, which are gradually increased. It is necessary to keep an accurate record of seizures and monitor their dynamics. Convulsive seizures in infants and young children are always an indication for emergency treatment. Delaying can lead to cerebral edema and damage to vital functions in the body. Initially, a 20% glucose solution is administered intravenously. If the convulsions continue, then very carefully, controlling the work of the heart muscle, a 25% solution of magnesium sulfate is injected. If the effect does not occur, then pyridoxine hydrochloride is prescribed. The main drug is Phenobarbital. It soothes the baby and has a dehydrating effect. The medicine is prescribed according to age-related doses and depending on the nature and frequency of attacks. If after two or three days there is no improvement, then add sodium bromide, Caffeine or Benzonal. In some cases, treatment is combined with the appointment of Diphenin. It does not have cumulative properties, it can give side effects in the form of decreased appetite, nausea, irritation of the oral mucosa, stomatitis. Hexamidine is sometimes prescribed in children with frequent seizures in combination with Phenobarmital and Definin. In retarded babies, this treatment significantly improves the condition. Contraindications are diseases of the kidneys, liver and hematopoietic organs. At an early age, treatment is often prescribed with a mixture of Sereisky or its modifications. The main components of the drug are caffeine, papaverine, luminal.

Paroxysmal involuntary contractions of skeletal muscles. They can be symptoms of a number of diseases (meningitis, encephalitis, craniocerebral trauma, epilepsy, cerebral edema and others) or the result of secondary changes in the central nervous system that occur after general infections and poisoning, metabolic disorders, in particular, with vitamin deficiency At 6, lack of calcium and so on. Cramps are often associated with systematic muscle fatigue, for example, in athletes, typists, and violinists. Cramps sometimes occur in healthy people when bathing in cold water or during a night's sleep.

2. Blocking glutamate receptors or reducing its release from presynaptic endings ( lamotrigine). Since glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, blockade of its receptors or a decrease in the amount leads to a decrease in the excitability of neurons.

3. Blocking of ion channels (sodium, potassium) in nerve cells, which complicates synaptic signal transmission and limits the spread of seizure activity ( phenytoin , carbamazepine, valproic acid and sodium valproate).

It should be noted that the same drug can have several mechanisms of action.

The abundance of drugs for the treatment of epilepsy is explained by the variety of manifestations of this disease. After all, even epileptic seizures can be of several types, and the mechanisms of their occurrence are also different. However, the ideal antiepileptic drug is still a long way off. Here is a short list of the requirements that it must meet: high activity and long duration of action in order to prevent seizures for a long time, effectiveness in various types of epilepsy, since mixed forms of the disease are often found, the absence of sedative, hypnotic, allergic and other properties (these substances are taken in for several months and even years), inability to accumulate, become addictive and drug dependence. And, for example, phenobarbital even in small doses can cause drowsiness, lethargy, it can accumulate in the body and cause addiction. Phenytoin, as a more selectively active substance, preventing the development of seizures, does not have a general depressing effect on the central nervous system, but, unfortunately, when it is taken, dizziness, trembling of the body or its parts, involuntary eye movements, double vision, nausea may appear. vomiting and other side effects. Carbamazepine, which is widely used in the treatment of various forms of epilepsy, like phenytoin, blocks sodium channels in the cell. Its advantage is a positive effect on the psyche: the mood improves, the activity and sociability of patients increases, and this facilitates their social and professional rehabilitation. But this drug also has disadvantages. At the beginning of treatment, carbamazepine can disrupt digestion, cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and inhibit psychomotor reactions. In this regard, it is not recommended to appoint it to drivers, machine operators and people of similar professions. When taking the drug, it is necessary to conduct regular blood tests, as it is possible to reduce the number of leukocytes or platelets in the blood. Even valproic acid, the side effects of which are few and far between, enhances the undesirable properties of other antiepileptic drugs.

The negative effects of antiepileptic drugs, as a rule, are associated with a general suppression of interneuronal impulse transmission in the central and peripheral nervous system, which is due to insufficient selectivity of the action of drugs.

The role of the doctor in the treatment of epilepsy is especially increasing, because only a specialist can prescribe the necessary remedy, taking into account all factors: spectrum of action, side effects, form of the disease and type of seizures.

The main antiepileptic drugs and their areas of application are shown in Table 3.1.1.

Table 3.1.1. The use of antiepileptic drugs

It is important for a patient taking antiepileptic drugs to know that it is impossible to stop taking the drug at the same time, as a withdrawal syndrome may develop, which will lead to more frequent and severe seizures. This is especially true for barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which take weeks and months to stop. Some of the anticonvulsants are listed below. You will find detailed information on them on the website.

[Tradename(composition or characteristic) pharmachologic effect dosage forms firm]

Benzonal tablets 0.05 g(benzobarbital) anticonvulsant table for children Aspharma(Russia)

Benzonal tablets 0.1 g(benzobarbital) anticonvulsant tab. Aspharma(Russia)

Gabitril(tiagabin) tab. Sanofi-synthelabo(France)

Depakine(sodium valproate) antiepileptic por.liof.d / in .; syrup for children Sanofi-synthelabo(France)

Depakine Chrono(sodium valproate + valproic acid) antiepileptic tab.p. o.d.; tab.p.p. prolonged. Sanofi-synthelabo(France)

Depakine enteric 300(sodium valproate) antiepileptic p.o. solution / intestinal Sanofi-synthelabo(France)

Carbamazepine-Acri(carbamazepine) antiepileptic, antidepressant tab. Akrikhin(Russia)

Clonazepam(clonazepam) anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, sedative tab. Tarchominskie Zaklady Farmaceutyczne "Polfa"(Poland)

Konvulex(valproic acid) antiepileptic drops for oral administration; capsule solution / intestinal; syrup for children Gerot Pharmazeutika(Austria)

Convulsofin(calcium valproate) antiepileptic, anticonvulsant tab. Pliva(Croatia), manuf .: AWD.pharma (Germany)

Lamictal(lamotrigine) anticonvulsant table; table g. GlaxoSmithKline(United Kingdom)

Mazepin(carbamazepine) anticonvulsant, analgesic, sedative tab. ICN Pharmaceuticals(USA), manuf .: ICN Marbiopharm (Russia)

They not only relieve seizures, but also alleviate the general condition of the body. The first attempts at such treatment were undertaken at the end of the 9th and beginning of the 20th century. Then potassium bromide was used to fight seizures. Since 1912, Phenobarbital has been used. Since 1938, Phenytoin has been added to the list. Currently, modern medicine uses more than thirty drugs. Today, more than 70% of people suffer from mild epilepsy and are successfully treated with anticonvulsants. However, the treatment of severe forms of the disease remains one of the most pressing problems for scientists. Any prescribed medication must have anti-allergic properties without affecting the central nervous system. It is also necessary to exclude addiction, a feeling of apathy and weakness.

Modern medicine classifies anticonvulsants according to the following scheme:

barbiturates;
hydantoin preparations;
oxazolidions;
succinamide-based medicines;
iminostilbenes;
tablets containing benzodiazepine;
valproic acid products

Anticonvulsants list

The main anticonvulsants are:

Phenytoin. It is used for seizures with status epilepticus. Its action is aimed at inhibiting nerve receptors and stabilizing membranes at the level of the cell body. The drug has a number of side effects: nausea, trembling, vomiting, involuntary eye rotation, dizziness.
Carbamazeline is used for large convulsive psychomotor seizures. It relieves severe attacks during the active stage of the disease. During the appointment, the patient's mood improves. But there are also a number of side effects: impaired blood circulation, drowsiness, dizziness. Contraindications are pregnancy and allergies.
Phenobarbital is used for epileptic seizures in conjunction with other drugs. The medicine calms and normalizes the nervous system. Pego should be taken for a long time. Cancellation occurs very carefully and gradually, as the elements of the drug accumulate in the body. Among the side effects of abnormal blood pressure, difficulty breathing. Cannot be used during lactation and in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also forbidden to use for renal failure, muscle weakness and alcohol dependence.
Clonazepam is used for myoclonic epilepsy and psychomotor seizures. The drug eliminates involuntary convulsions and reduces their intensity. The pills relax the muscles and the nervous system calms down. Side effects include disorders of the musculoskeletal system, fatigue, irritability, and prolonged depression. Contraindication to use is heavy physical work requiring increased concentration of attention, pregnancy, renal failure and liver disease. During treatment, it is imperative to stop drinking alcohol.
The action of the drug Lamotrigine is aimed at eliminating severe seizures, mild seizures and clonic and tonic seizures. It stabilizes the activity of neurons in the brain, which leads to a reduction in seizures, and over time they completely disappear. A side effect can be skin rash, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, tremors. It is not recommended to engage in physical work that requires increased concentration of attention during the treatment period.
Sodium volproate is prescribed for the treatment of severe psychomotor seizures, mild seizures, and myoclonic epilepsy. The medicine reduces the production of electrical impulses in the brain, eliminates anxiety and stabilizes the patient's mental state. Side effects are expressed by disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory disorders and blood clotting. You can not take the medicine during pregnancy and lactation, with diseases of the pancreas, as well as hepatitis in various forms.
Primidone is used for psychomotor seizures and myoclonic epilepsy. The action of the drug inhibits the activity of neurons in the damaged area of the brain and eliminates involuntary spasms. Due to the fact that the drug causes increased agitation, it is not prescribed for children and the elderly. Side effects include nausea, allergies, anemia, headaches, lethargy, and addiction. Use is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in liver disease and renal failure.
Beclamide relieves generalized and partial seizures. It blocks electrical impulses in the head, reduces anxiety and relieves seizures. Side effects include dizziness, gastrointestinal irritation, weakness, and allergies. Use is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Benzobamil is prescribed for children with epilepsy, as well as for focal seizures. It is the least toxic drug and has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. Side effects include weakness, nausea, lethargy, and involuntary eye rotation. Treatment with the drug is contraindicated in cardiac, renal failure and liver disease.

Non-prescription anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants for the legs

If there is no epilepsy or nerve inflammation in the history of the disease, the following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of convulsions:

Valparin suppresses seizure activity in epileptic seizures. It does not have a pronounced sedative and hypnotic effect.
Xanax is a psychotropic drug that relieves feelings of anxiety, fear and emotional stress. It has a mild hypnotic effect.
Diphenin has a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant effect. It increases the pain threshold for neuralgia and shortens the duration of seizures.
Anti-interval relieves cramps, depression and anxiety. It is also used to prevent depressive disorders.
Keppra is an antiepileptic drug aimed at suppressing neuronal outbreaks and relieving seizures.

In no case should you take these medications on your own, since hypothermia, trauma, flat feet or a lack of certain vitamins can be the cause of seizures.

Anticonvulsants: a list of the best for epilepsy and seizures

Anticonvulsant drugs are used as a means to eliminate pain symptoms and muscle spasms, to prevent the transition from a state of pain attacks to convulsive and epileptic manifestations.

The activation of a nerve impulse at the same time by a group of specific neurons is similar to the signal given by motor-type neurons in the cerebral cortex. In the event of a lesion of this type, the nerve endings do not appear in tics or convulsions, but cause attacks of pain.

The purpose of using anticonvulsants is to relieve pain or muscle spasms without provoking central nervous system depression. Depending on the severity of the disease, these drugs can be used from several years to use throughout life in severe chronic or genetic forms of the disease.

Seizures of seizure activity are associated with an increase in the degree of excitation of nerve endings in the brain, usually localized in certain parts of its structure and diagnosed when a condition characteristic of the onset of seizure syndrome occurs.

The cause of seizures can be a deficiency in the body of necessary chemical elements, such as magnesium or potassium, pinching of a muscle nerve in the canal, or a sharp prolonged exposure to cold. A deficiency of potassium, calcium or magnesium provokes disruptions in the transmission of signals to the muscles from the brain, as evidenced by the occurrence of spasms.

At the initial stage, the manifestation of the development of a neurological type of disease consists in local pain sensations emanating from the area of the affected nerve cells and manifested by attacks of pain of varying strength and nature of manifestation. With the course of the disease, due to the development of inflammatory processes or muscle spasms in the area of pinched nerve endings, the strength of the attacks increases.

In the case of an early appeal to a specialist, a complex of drugs is used for therapy that eliminate the causes and signs of damage to nerve endings. Self-diagnosis and treatment does not allow choosing from a wide range of anticonvulsants the most suitable for relieving pain symptoms and eliminating the cause of discomfort.

When observed by a specialist, he assesses the work of the prescribed drug according to its effectiveness and diagnoses the absence of pathological changes after taking it based on the results of blood tests.

Fundamentals of Anticonvulsant Therapy

The complex treatment for convulsive manifestations includes groups of drugs of various principles of action, including:

non-steroidal medications with anti-inflammatory action, which reduce temperature and eliminate pain, and a feeling of discomfort after elimination of inflammation;
antiviral neuralgia tablets are used to prevent the onset of disorders or reduce the degree of pain in the event of an appearance;
drugs of the analgesic group that have an analgesic effect are used to eliminate pain in a strictly dosed amount to exclude the occurrence of side effects;
remedies for the elimination of muscle spasms with manifestations of a paroxysmal nature, belonging to the group of muscle relaxants;
external agents in the form of ointments and gels for treating affected areas or injections to relieve muscle spasms;
drugs that normalize the functioning of the nervous system and sedatives;
drugs of the anticonvulsant type, the action of which is based on the elimination of pain symptoms by reducing the activity of nerve cells, these drugs are most effectively used when the source of pain is concentrated in the brain or spinal cord, and with less for the treatment of disorders of the nerves of the peripheral part.

Some of the prescribed drugs have the effect of inhibiting the development or preventing the occurrence of allergic-type reactions.

The main groups of anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are divided into several groups, a list of which is offered below.

Iminostilbenes

Iminostilbens are characterized by an anticonvulsant effect, after their use, the elimination of pain symptoms and an improvement in mood are noted. The drugs in this group include:

Valproates, used as anticonvulsants and iminostilbens, help to improve the patient's emotional background.

In addition, when using these drugs, tranquilizing, sedative and muscle relaxant effects are noted. The drugs in this group include:

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are sedative, reduce blood pressure and have a hypnotic effect. Among these drugs, the most commonly used are:

Benzodiazepine-based anticonvulsants have a pronounced effect, they are used in case of convulsive conditions in epilepsy and prolonged attacks of neuralgic disorders.

These drugs are characterized by sedative and muscle relaxant effects, with their use normalization of sleep is noted.

Among these drugs:

Succininids

Anticonvulsants of this group are used to eliminate muscle spasms of individual organs with neuralgia. When using drugs in this group, sleep disturbances or nausea are possible.

Among the most used means are known:

Anticonvulsants used for leg cramps:

Strike in the nine convulsive "gate"

The main anticonvulsants that are most often used for epilepsy, seizures and neuralgia of various origins:

Finlepsin is used in cases of neurological diseases with lesions of the trigeminal and glossopharyngeal nerves. Has analgesic properties, anticonvulsant, antidepressant effects. The principle of action of the drug is based on the calming of the nerve membrane with a high degree of excitation by blocking sodium channels. The drug is characterized by complete absorption by the intestinal walls for a sufficiently long time. Among the contraindications to the use of the drug is poor tolerance of Carbamazepine and increased eye pressure.
Carbamazepine is used as an anticonvulsant for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and has an antidepressant effect. The start of taking the drug should be gradual as the dose of the previous drug is reduced. Preparations containing Phenobarbital reduce the effectiveness of Carbamazepine, which must be taken into account when prescribing complex treatment.
Clonazepam has an anticonvulsant effect and is used to treat neuralgia with alternating myoclonic attacks. Has pronounced sedative and hypnotic effects. Possible side effects when using the drug are dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, loss of concentration and mood disorders. The remedy eliminates the feeling of anxiety, has a hypnotic effect, sedative and relaxing effect on the patient's body.
Phenytoin is used in cases of convulsive states with an action based on slowing down nerve endings and fixing membranes at the cellular level.
Voltaren is used as an anticonvulsant for neurological disorders in the spine.
Ketonal is used to reduce pain symptoms on the body with different localization areas. When prescribing a drug for therapy, it is necessary to take into account the possible intolerance of the components and, as a consequence, the risk of developing a cross-type allergy.
Sodium valproate is used in cases of seizures associated with the therapy of mild forms, the epileptic nature of muscle contraction. The drug reduces the production of electrical impulses sent by the nervous system from the cerebral cortex, normalizes the patient's psyche. Possible side effects of the drug are disorders of the digestive system, changes in blood clotting indicators.
Benzobamil, used for focal-type seizures, is characterized by low toxicity and high efficacy in providing a sedative effect. Side effects of using the drug are a state of weakness, a reduced emotional background, which is reflected in the degree of activity of the patient.
Phenobarbital is prescribed for admission to children, has a sedative effect, is characterized by a hypnotic effect. It can be used in combination with other agents, for example, with agents for vasodilation in case of disorders of the nervous system.

Practical consumer experience

What is the situation with anticonvulsant therapy in practice? This can be judged by the reviews of patients and doctors.

I take Carbamazepine as a substitute for Finlepsin, since a foreign analogue is more expensive, and a domestically produced drug is excellent for therapy for my illness.

Since I tried both drugs, I can say that both are highly effective, but the significant difference in cost is a significant disadvantage of the foreign remedy.

After several years of taking Finlepsin, on the advice of a doctor, I changed it to Retard, since the specialist believes that this drug is more suitable for me. I had no complaints while taking Finlepsin, however, in addition to a similar effect, Retard has a sedative effect.

In addition, the drug is characterized by great ease of use, since, in comparison with analogues, it must be taken not three times a day, but once.

The drug Voltaren helps with pain syndromes of moderate severity. It is a good idea to use it as an adjunct to your main treatment.

Time to collect stones

A distinctive feature of anticonvulsants is the impossibility of quickly ending their intake. With a tangible effect from the action of the drug, the period of cancellation of its use is up to six months, during which there is a gradual decrease in the rate of drug intake.

According to the widespread opinion of doctors, the most effective drug for the treatment of seizure activity is Carbamazepine.

Less effective are drugs such as Lorazepam, Phenytoin, Relanium, Seduxen, Clonazepam, Dormikum and valporic acid, ranked in order of decreasing their therapeutic effect.

It remains to add that it is impossible to purchase anticonvulsants without prescriptions, which is good, since it is very dangerous to take them irresponsibly.

Anticonvulsants: a list of medications and contraindications

The prescription of anticonvulsant drugs is clear from their name. The purpose of these drugs is to reduce or completely eliminate muscle cramps and seizures of epilepsy. Many drugs are taken in combination to improve the effect.

For the first time, this method of treatment was used at the border of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. At first, potassium bromide was used for this, a little later they began to use Phenobarbital, and since 1938, Phenytoin gained popularity.

Modern doctors use more than three dozen anticonvulsants for these purposes. As scary as it may sound, the fact remains - in our time, about seventy percent of the world's population have a mild form of epilepsy.

But if in some cases anticonvulsants successfully solve the problem, then complex forms of such an ancient disease as epilepsy are not so easy to cure.

In this case, the main task of the drug is to eliminate the spasm without disrupting the work of the central nervous system.

antiallergic properties;
completely eliminate addiction;
avoid depression and depression.

Groups of anticonvulsants

In modern medical practice, anticonvulsants or anticonvulsants are divided into different groups depending on the main active ingredient.

These are today:

Barbiturates;
Hydantoin;
Group of oxazolidionones;
Succinamide;
Iminostilbenes;
Benzodiazepine;
Valproic acid;

Anticonvulsants

The main drugs of this type are:

Phenytoin. It is indicated if the patient's seizures are of a pronounced epileptic nature. The drug inhibits the action of nerve receptors and stabilizes membranes at the cellular level.

Has side effects, including:

vomiting, nausea;
dizziness;
spontaneous eye movement.

Carbamazepine. Used for prolonged attacks. In the active stage of the disease, the drug is able to stop seizures. Improves the patient's mood and well-being.

The main side effects will be:

Phenobarbital. Perhaps the use in conjunction with other drugs. This medication perfectly calms the central nervous system. As a rule, it is appointed for a long time. It should also be canceled gradually.

changes in blood pressure;
breathing problems.

the initial stage of pregnancy;
kidney failure;
alcohol dependence;
and muscle weakness.

Clonazepam. It is used in the treatment of myoclonic epilepsy. Fights involuntary seizures. The drug calms the nerves and relaxes the muscles.

Also among the side effects:

increased irritability and apathetic state;
discomfort of the musculoskeletal system.

During admission, it is contraindicated:

pregnancy at different stages;

renal failure;

alcohol intake is strictly prohibited.

Lamotrigine. It successfully fights both mild seizures and severe epileptic seizures. The action of the drug leads to the stabilization of the neurons in the brain, which in turn leads to an increase in the time between attacks. If successful, the seizures disappear altogether.

Side effects can appear as:

Sodium valproate. Prescribed for the treatment of severe seizures and myoclonic epilepsy. The drug stops the production of electrical impulses in the brain, fixes the patient's stable somatic state. Side effects usually include stomach and intestinal upset.

pregnant women;
with hepatitis and pancreatic disease.

Primidon. It is used for psychomotor seizures, as well as in the treatment of myoclonic epilepsy. Slows down the activity of neurons in the damaged area, and reduces spasms. The medicine can activate arousal, therefore it is contraindicated for children and the elderly of the older generation.

Among the accompanying actions:

headache;
the development of anemia;
apathy;
nausea;
allergic reactions and addiction.

pregnancy;
liver and kidney diseases.

Beclamide. Eliminates partial and generalized seizures. The drug reduces excitability and eliminates spasms.

As a side effect are possible:

dizziness;
bowel irritation;
allergy.

Benzabamil. Usually prescribed to children with epilepsy, as it is the least toxic of its kind. Has a mild effect on the central nervous system.

Side effects are:

List of over-the-counter drugs

Unfortunately or fortunately, the composition of these medicines is such that it is forbidden to dispense them without a doctor's prescription on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The easiest way to get drugs without a prescription today is through the Internet. Formally, the courier, of course, will be obliged to ask you for a prescription, but most likely this will not happen.

List of drugs for children

According to the level of danger, drugs are divided into two groups:

The first includes: benzodiazepines, lidocaine, droperidol with fentanyl and sodium oxybutyrate. These agents have little effect on breathing.
The second group includes: chloral hydrate, barbiturates, magnesium sulfate. Substances that are more hazardous to breathing. They have a strong depressing effect.

The main drugs used to treat seizures in children are:

Benzodiazepines. Most often from this series, sibazon is used, it is also seduxen or diazepam. A shot into a vein can stop the seizure within five minutes. In large quantities, respiratory depression is still possible. In such cases, physostigmine must be injected intramuscularly, it is able to eliminate the nervous system and facilitate breathing.
Feitanil and droperidol. These drugs work effectively on the hippocampus (the seizure trigger zone), but the presence of morphine in babies under one year old may have trouble breathing. The problem is corrected with nalorphine.
Lidocaine. Almost instantly suppresses convulsions of any origin in children, when injected into a vein. In treatment, a saturating dose is usually administered first, after which they move on to droppers.
Hexenal. A strong anticonvulsant, but it has a depressing effect on the respiratory tract, and therefore the use in children is somewhat limited.
Phenobarbital. Used for treatment and prevention. Prescribed mainly for not weak attacks, since the effect develops rather slowly from four to six hours. The main value of the drug is in the duration of action. In young children, the effect can last up to two days. Excellent results are obtained by the parallel administration of phenobarbital and sibazone.

List of drugs for epilepsy

Not all anticonvulsants are necessarily used to treat epilepsy. To combat this ailment in Russia, about thirty drugs are used.

Do not self-medicate, this is not the case. Be healthy!

Anticonvulsants - List. The use of anticonvulsants for epilepsy and neuralgia

This group of drugs is used to relieve or prevent seizures of a different nature of origin. Medicines for seizures include a list of medicines that are usually used when a person has epilepsy and are called antiepileptic drugs.

The action of anticonvulsants

During an attack, a person experiences not only muscle spasms, but also pain due to them. The action of anticonvulsants is aimed at eliminating these manifestations, stopping the attack, so that it does not pass from pain to epileptic, convulsive phenomena. A nerve impulse is activated together with a specific group of neurons in the same way as it happens when transmitted from motor-type neurons from the cerebral cortex.

Anticonvulsant pills should eliminate pain, muscle spasms without oppressing the central nervous system. Such medicines are selected individually, the degree of complexity of the pathology is taken into account. Depending on this, medications can be used for a certain period or for the whole life if a genetic or chronic form of the disease is diagnosed.

Groups of anticonvulsants

To prevent epileptic seizures, convulsions, doctors have developed different means that differ in their principle of action. The doctor should prescribe specific anticonvulsants based on the nature of the origin of the seizures. The following groups of anticonvulsants are distinguished:

Barbiturates and derivatives

Phenobarbital, Benzamil, Benzoylbarbamil, Benzonal, Benzobamil.

Aimed at inhibiting the neurons of the epileptic focus. As a rule, it has an indiscriminate depressing effect on the central nervous system.

Benzodiazepine based drugs

Rivotril, Clonazepam, Ictoril, Antelepsin, Ravatril, Klonopin, Ictoril.

These medications turn out to be the activity of inhibitory neurons by acting on GABA receptors.

Carbamazepine, Zeptol, Finlepsin, Amizepin, Tegretol.

They have a restrictive effect on the propagation of electrical potential through neurons.

Sodium valproate and derivatives

Acediprol, Epilim, Valproate sodium, Apilepsin, Valparin, Diplexil, Konvulex.

They have a sedative, tranquilizing effect, improve the patient's emotional background.

Etosuximide, Pufemid, Ronton, Succimal, Etimal, Suksilep, Pycnolepsin,

Valparin, Difenin, Xanax, Keppra, Aktinerval;

Prescribed for the treatment of absences, tablets are a calcium channel blocker. Eliminate muscle spasms with neuralgia.

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Anticonvulsants for epilepsy

Some products are available without a prescription, some only with it. Any pills for epilepsy should only be prescribed by a doctor in order to avoid side effects and not provoke complications. It is important to go to the hospital in a timely manner, a quick diagnosis will increase the chances of remission, the duration of taking the medication. Popular anticonvulsants for epilepsy are listed below:

Feniton. The tablets belong to the hydantoin group, used to slightly slow down the reaction of nerve endings. It helps stabilize the neural membranes. It is usually prescribed for patients who suffer from frequent seizures.
Phenobarbital. Included in the list of barbiturates, it is actively used for therapy in the early stages, to maintain remission. The drug has a soothing mild effect, which is not always enough during epilepsy, therefore it is often prescribed together with other drugs.
Lamotrigine. It is considered one of the most powerful antiepileptic drugs. A properly prescribed course of treatment can completely stabilize the nervous system without disrupting the release of amino acids.
Benzobamil. This drug has low toxicity, mild action, so it can be prescribed to a child who suffers from seizures. The remedy is contraindicated for people with pathologies of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Sodium valproate. It is an antiepileptic drug and is prescribed for behavioral disorders. It has a number of serious side effects: the appearance of a rash, a deterioration in the clarity of consciousness, a decrease in blood clotting, obesity, and a deterioration in blood circulation.
Primidon. This antiepileptic drug is used for severe epileptic seizures. The drug has a powerful inhibitory effect on damaged neurons, which helps to stop seizures. You should only take this anticonvulsant after consulting your doctor.

Anticonvulsants for neuralgia

it is recommended to start treatment as early as possible, for this you need to contact a specialist after the first symptoms of the disease. Therapy is based on a whole range of medications to eliminate the causes and signs of nerve damage. Anticonvulsants play a leading role in treatment. They are needed to prevent epileptic seizures and seizures. The following anticonvulsants are used for neuralgia:

Clonazepam. Derived from benzodiazepine, it differs in that it has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative effect. The mechanism of action of the active substance helps to establish sleep, relax muscles. It is not recommended to use it without a doctor's prescription, even according to the instructions.
Carbamazepine. According to the classification, the drug belongs to iminostilbens. It has a pronounced anticonvulsant, moderate antidepressant effect, normalizes the emotional background. Helps to significantly reduce pain in neuralgia. The antiepileptic drug acts quickly, but the course will always be long, because pain may return due to premature refusal of the drug.
Phenobarbital. It belongs to the group of barbiturates, which act as a sedative, sleeping pill in the treatment of neuralgia. This anticonvulsant is prescribed in small doses, it should be taken strictly according to the doctor's prescription, because the side effects of anticonvulsants are contraindicated in a number of other diseases.

Anticonvulsants for children

The choice in this case falls on medications, which should significantly reduce the excitability of the central nervous system. Many drugs of this type can be dangerous for the baby because they depress breathing. Anticonvulsants for children are divided into two groups according to the degree of danger to the child:

Means that have little effect on respiration: Ledocaine, benzodiazepines, oxybutyrates, fentanyl, droperidol.
More dangerous substances that have a depressing effect: barbiturates, chloral hydrate, magnesium sulfate.

When choosing a medicine for babies, the characteristics of the pharmacology of the drug are very important, adults are less susceptible to side effects than a child. The list of basic drugs that are used in the treatment of children includes the following drugs:

Droperidol, Fentanyl - have an effective effect on the hippocampus, from which the signal for seizures comes, but there is no morphine in the composition, which can cause breathing problems in infants under 1 year old. You can fix this problem with nalorphine.
Benzodiazepines - Sibazone is usually used, which may be called diazepam or sedkusen. Intravenous administration of the drug stops convulsions within 5 minutes, respiratory depression can be observed with large doses of the drug. The situation can be corrected by the introduction of physostigmine intramuscularly.
Lidocaine. The drug can almost immediately suppress seizures of any type in babies, if given an intravenous injection. In therapy, as a rule, a saturating dose is first administered, then droppers are used.
Phenobarbital. It is used for prevention and treatment. It is prescribed, as a rule, with mild attacks, because the result from the application develops in 4-6 hours. The main plus of the medication is that the effect in children can last up to 2 days. Good results are observed when taken simultaneously with sibazon.
Hexenal. A strong drug, but it has a depressing effect on breathing, which greatly limits its use in children.

Anticonvulsants for seizures - a list of drugs, indications for use

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Anticonvulsants for leg cramps, after a stroke, for diabetes mellitus, Trental and other medications. A list of the best drugs for cramps in the lower extremities and arms. Which drug is better to choose, reviews and recommendations of doctors, a list of effective drugs.

Why are leg cramps dangerous?

According to the medical point of view, seizures are further stimulation of muscle tissue activity after the completion of the main function, that is, movement. Probably almost everyone had to face this unpleasant symptom, referred to as muscle spasm.

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Mostly muscle spasms occur at night and are considered a consequence of physical fatigue, overwork, and long walking. Nevertheless, subject to a systematic appearance, they may indicate the presence of serious diseases and pathologies.

This condition is often thought to be the cause of sleep disturbance and insomnia. To eliminate the cause of muscle spasm, it is recommended to take the anticonvulsant medication recommended by your doctor.

If cramps appear no more than once every couple of days and do not cause significant discomfort, they do not pose any danger. However, regular exposure may indicate a serious health problem.

In addition, generalized muscle spasms that occur during seizures of epilepsy pose some danger. This is due to the fact that against the background of the onset of the patient can unconsciously injure himself.

Anticonvulsants and drugs - what is it

These drugs are used to eliminate the underlying causes of a convulsive state and prevent the transformation of a typical seizure into a convulsive or epileptic seizure.

More often, muscle contractions are a sign of a lack of certain trace elements in the body. In this case, the selection of the optimal vitamin complexes is carried out, the use of which will help to replenish the supply of necessary substances in the body.

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The causes of seizures are called stress, nervous overstrain, impaired activity of the nervous system. In such cases, you can get rid of them only by eliminating the main cause of their occurrence. To prevent possible negative consequences, you should only take medications prescribed by your doctor.

Classification

In the field of pharmacology, they are divided into several groups, each of which has a similar composition, characteristics and pharmacological properties:

What is sold without a prescription: a list of medicines

Due to the specifics of the composition of most medicines, leave without a medical prescription is not acceptable. As an exception, you can name those that have a local effect and help relieve symptoms such as soreness and heaviness in the legs.

Anticonvulsants for leg cramps

Leg cramps occur mainly against the background of diseases of the vascular system, due to mechanical injuries and the lack of a sufficient amount of certain trace elements in the body, for example, magnesium and potassium.

After identifying the cause of the seizure, your doctor may recommend the following medications:

troxevasin, Venarus, Eskuzan. Eliminate diseases of veins and blood vessels and reduce the symptoms of pathologies;
Asparkam, Magnelis. Fortified with increased amounts of magnesium and potassium;
ortho Taurin Ergo. It is used to eliminate and prevent spasms in diabetes and hypertension;
medicines based on horse chestnut extract. They stimulate metabolic processes, improve blood flow, eliminate vascular and vein diseases.

Is it harmful for children

In children, including the younger age group, convulsive states often occur several times more often than in adults, which is due to the relative immaturity of the central nervous system. For treatment, it is necessary to identify the nature of the occurrence.

When taken by children, drugs can only be dangerous if the effect on the respiratory center is called as a side effect. In this situation, there is a risk of sudden respiratory arrest.

What can be given to children: at a child's temperature up to a year

One of the reasons for the appearance of convulsive states in young children is high body temperature. Under certain circumstances, this can be dangerous for the baby. It is recommended to use to lower the temperature. An example of drugs through the list:

A common question that mothers ask is how their children live after taking anticonvulsants. There is no need to worry too much and think about all the bad things. As practice shows, children live well, there are no problems and further complications in the development of the child.

The cramps pass in the legs and arms, the child stops crying and suffers from fever in the near future. The negative influence on the development of the child does not refuse. Can be given to newborns and a child up to a year.

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After a stroke

The main reason for the appearance of a convulsive state after a stroke is the negative effect of the affected areas of the brain on healthy tissues. To prevent seizures, patients are advised to take the following drugs:

Nootropics. Substances that stimulate brain activity and repair tissue.
Medicines are required to improve blood circulation, which is necessary for the restoration of brain tissue.
Medicines that help relieve attacks of excitability of certain parts of the brain, for example, Carbamazepine.

The price of such drugs is different and depends specifically on the chosen drug. You can buy at any pharmacy in the city, the price range is from 100 to 1700 rubles. Many are available over the counter. If it is not possible to find it on the shelves of the pharmacy, the goods can be ordered and bought with home delivery through the pharmacy ru. The online pharmacy will deliver the medicine to any city in Russia.

Moscow. Troxevasin gel 2% 40 g - cost 199 rubles.
Venarus tablets 50 mg + 450 mg, 30 pcs - the cost is 513 rubles.
Aescusan drops for oral administration, 20 ml - the price is 229 rubles.

If the drug is needed for children, ask the pharmacy what drugs are available for children under one year old. An inexpensive and effective medicine will be selected for you.

Side effects

The occurrence of side effects is possible against the background of the use of almost all types of drugs, the signs, as a rule, depend on the specificity and pharmacological group. The main side effects are called:

dizziness, headaches;
drowsiness, insomnia;
some digestive problems, such as nausea, bouts of diarrhea, vomiting;
negative reactions from the skin: rash, redness, severe itching;
multiplicity of visual images.

Indications for use

It is permissible to take only if there are medical indications, which are called the following:

Epileptic seizures.
Convulsive states in case of poisoning, high fever, certain diseases.
Convulsions against a background of stress, nervous strain, neuroses.
Partial seizures.
Convulsive conditions occurring in children.

New generation drugs for trigeminal neuralgia

Currently, so-called new-generation drugs are increasingly used to eliminate convulsive conditions and treat the main causes of the symptom. These drugs have a wide spectrum of action, a minimum set of contraindications and risks of side effects.

For trigeminal neuralgia, the following are most often used:

The success of the provision of therapeutic action directly depends on the regularity and correctly compiled regimen of taking the drugs listed above.

For epilepsy

The main goal of medication treatment for epilepsy is to reduce the intensity and number of seizures. To achieve this goal, medications of various spectrum of action are used, which have a positive effect on the activity of the nervous system and the brain.

They are called, for example, as:

Medication for diabetes mellitus

Often, seizures are a consequence of the onset of various types of diabetes. Regardless of the form and stage of development of the disease, the main treatment is repeated use of intramuscular injections of insulin.

The dosage regimen and dosage are calculated in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient and the clinical picture. The combined use of a number of drugs, for example, immunomodulators, is acceptable.

But the indicated need is determined strictly by the doctor on the basis of the patient's history and test results.

With migraine

Migraine is a fairly common disease that is difficult to cure completely. The main danger of this pathology is that migraine attacks can lead to epileptic seizures.

It is almost impossible to prevent a side effect of the underlying disease. However, regular use of medications prescribed by your doctor to treat the underlying ailment, that is, migraine, can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.

Folk remedies and herbs

To eliminate seizures at home, you can use not only various drugs and anticonvulsants. There are medicines prepared on the basis of herbal raw materials and, due to the specifics of the disease, used for external use. This includes:

laurel oil. Plain vegetable oil infused with dry bay leaves will help relieve soreness and discomfort. Rubbing oil into the affected areas is required until the symptoms are completely eliminated;
tincture of lilac. Inflorescences of lilacs, infused with alcohol, are very effective and fast-acting remedy for cramps and headaches.

There are also home remedies for oral administration. It is recommended, for example, to consume a large tablespoon of linden honey every morning and wash down a portion of this bee product with chamomile decoction.

What helps at home

The most effective home remedy for cramps is a regular massage. The procedure can be carried out both during an attack and as its prevention. Knead the affected limb for at least fifteen minutes, using medicated ointments, creams or oils.

Over the counter

It is more than difficult to name the most effective remedy for seizures, and this is due to the fact that patients can be prescribed various drugs depending on the specifics of the underlying disease, the development of which directly results in convulsive states.

Nevertheless, doctors often name the following drugs as the most effective means, the mechanism of action of which allows to achieve the desired result:

You can buy and take medications only if you have a doctor's prescription. OTC anti-spasm medications are for external use only.

For night cramps

To alleviate the condition and eliminate discomfort in case of sudden attacks of spasms that occur mainly at night, it is recommended to use the most popular modern new generation drugs for external use, such as, for example:

To obtain the most effective results, it is recommended to use warming ointments as bases for medical compresses.

Trental

Trental, made on the basis of pentoxifylline, is used to treat pathologies and diseases, the development of which is provoked by impaired peripheral blood flow. The medication is presented in several forms: tablets and ampoules.

The use of the drug is possible through oral administration and the introduction of intravenous and intramuscular injections. The dosage and the optimal treatment regimen are developed by the doctor based on the characteristics of the patient's clinical picture.

Depakine

The drug Depakine, presented in the pharmaceutical market as a syrup and substance for the preparation of injections, is an effective remedy for the treatment of convulsive conditions in epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and alcoholic epilepsy.

Finlepsin

With systematic repetitive spasms, it is permissible to take Finlepsin, presented in the form of tablets and having antiepileptic and analgesic properties. The drug is used for painful sensations caused by the development of diabetes, neuralgia, epilepsy and other diseases of a similar pathogenesis.

The amount of a substance calculated for a single dose can vary significantly depending on the treatment regimen developed by the doctor, the age of the patient and the characteristics of the disease. The tablets are recommended to be taken regardless of meal time.

Phenobarbital

One of the most effective medicines, the main component of which is the substance of the same name, which has hypnotic and antiepileptic properties. It is mainly used for the treatment of epilepsy and acute seizures of a convulsive state.

Due to the wide range of diseases in the course of treatment of which the medication is used, the dosage and dosage regimens can vary significantly. It is recommended to take it some time before daytime or nighttime sleep.

For muscle cramps: Detralex for legs

Detralex is one of the angioprotective and venotonic agents. Taking pills is recommended for forms of venous insufficiency, leg cramps, varicose veins and other diseases associated with blood flow disorders.

Depending on the form and degree of development of the disease, it may be recommended to take one or two tablets per day. The course of treatment is from several days to several months.

Phlebodia 600

Effectively stimulates blood flow, increases the elasticity of the venous and vascular walls, normalizes the hemolymph composition, making it less viscous. It is used as a remedy for the treatment of varicose veins, recurrent seizures and other diseases of a similar nature.

The course of treatment and dosage are determined by the doctor individually, but it is mainly practiced to take one tablet per day.

Diphenin

Diphenin is a potent analgesic medication that comes in pill form. It is used mainly for neuralgia, epilepsy and other diseases of a similar etiology. On the first day, it is recommended to take 3-4 milligrams of the active substance, in the future the dosage is increased to 300 - 500 milligrams.

Valparin

A narrowly targeted medication used to treat seizures, for example, for newborns and for children with febrile seizures. To eliminate disturbing symptoms, it is recommended to take the medicine one to two tablets during the day until the desired results are obtained.

Analogues are cheaper

The drugs, the list of which is given above, have some disadvantages, including, first of all, the high cost. However, there are less expensive drugs available. For example, the following drugs have an anticonvulsant effect:

It should be remembered that taking any remedy on your own can lead to undesirable consequences. Accordingly, before thinking about which of the drugs have an anticonvulsant effect, what are the pharmacological properties and what are the side effects, it is recommended to first consult a doctor.

Probably, everyone at least once in his life experienced what a cramp is. These are involuntary brain symptoms that can lead to impaired consciousness, emotional distress, or strong fibers in the arms or legs.

If you have seizures often enough, then this is already the reason why you urgently need to see a doctor. They can signal serious diseases not only in the nervous system, but also in other organs. After the examination, the doctor will definitely prescribe the appropriate treatment, which will include anticonvulsants in order to reduce the frequency of seizures.

Causes of convulsive conditions

Seizures can appear in a person at different periods of life, the most common causes of such conditions include:

In order to get rid of such problems, it is necessary to accurately establish their cause, because in each case, anticonvulsants are prescribed individually.

Varieties of seizures

You can give the following classification of convulsive states:

1. Generalized seizures... They most often take over the entire body, as, for example, during epileptic seizures.

Clonic... There is a change in muscle tension, twitching is observed.
Tonic... Muscle fiber spasm.
Tonic-clonic... Mixed convulsions, which are characterized by alternating involuntary twitching and spasm.

2. Local... Observed in certain muscles, such as calf cramps.

Generalized seizures are more severe because they affect the entire body. They can be accompanied by loss of consciousness.

Any convulsive conditions have a cause that must be identified in order to prescribe adequate treatment.

Epilepsy, its causes and symptoms

This is a disease of the nervous system, it is characterized by sudden convulsions during which the entire body of the patient is seized. If a person is diagnosed correctly, it is possible to achieve good results using the new generation of anticonvulsants.

The main causes of epilepsy include:

Damage to neurons in the brain.
Pathology during pregnancy.
Birth trauma.
Hereditary factor.
Violation of blood circulation in the brain structures.
Oxygen starvation of the brain.
Viral infections.

Many doctors still cannot speak with high accuracy about the causes of this disease in each specific person.

The most common and striking symptom of this disease is seizures. They happen periodically and always start suddenly. During an attack, the patient does not react at all to external stimuli, after its end the person usually feels weak, but the attack itself does not remember.

The seizure may not cover the whole body, then the patient simply loses consciousness, or spasms of the facial muscles and illogical, similar movements are observed.

The diagnosis of epilepsy can only be made after a thorough examination. If timely and correct treatment is prescribed, then in most cases seizures can be avoided, and a person's quality of life is significantly improved.

Epilepsy treatment

Most patients diagnosed with epilepsy take the path of recovery if the treatment is prescribed correctly, and the patient and his family members take an active part in this process.

When treating, it is very important not just to prescribe anticonvulsants (for epilepsy), but to solve a number of problems:

Find out the causes of seizures.
If possible, exclude the influence of those factors that can become provocateurs of seizures.
Make a correct diagnosis of the type of epilepsy.
Prescribe adequate medical treatment. It can also be inpatient treatment.
To pay great attention to rest, social problems, employment of patients.

Among the basic principles of epilepsy treatment are:

Finding a medication that suits the type of seizure. Anticonvulsants are prescribed (such drugs help to eliminate or alleviate seizures).
It is desirable to use monotherapy, that is, to use one drug for convulsive conditions.
Use of physiotherapy treatments.

Anticonvulsants

The following classification can be given which is used for drugs for seizures.

Benzodiazepines. This group includes: "Diazepam", "Clonazepam", "Dormikum" and others. These medicines are used to relieve an attack and to prevent it.
Valproate Anticonvulsant drugs in this group interfere with the conduction of a nerve impulse, so there are fewer seizures. These include: "Acediprol", "Apilepsin" and many others.
"Lamotrigine". Usually it is used in the complex therapy of epilepsy until the patient's condition is normalized.
Hydantoin derivatives. This includes "Diphenin", it reduces the excitability of nerve cells. It has an anticonvulsant effect.
Succinoids. In their action, they are similar to the drug of the previous group.
Oxazolidinedione derivatives. This is "Trimetin", which is ineffective for complex and extensive seizures, and for local ones it can be useful.
Iminostilbenes. This includes "Finlepsin", it does not allow reproduction of repeated action potentials, which are precisely the basis of seizure activity.
Anticonvulsants of the barbiturate group belong to the old generation of drugs. Compared with modern drugs, they are already ineffective, so they are used less and less. In addition, with prolonged use, they are addictive.

Any anticonvulsant medication for epilepsy should be prescribed by a doctor. Only then can effective treatment be guaranteed. It is worth considering that with a sharp cancellation of them, the condition may worsen, therefore the doctor selects the dosage for the entire course of treatment.

Treatment of convulsive conditions in children

Seizures in childhood are much more common than in adults. This can be caused by many things, from brain diseases to the usual high fever during a viral infection.

The predisposition of young children to frequent seizures can be explained by the immaturity of the brain structures. At the first symptoms of an attack, it is necessary to take all the necessary measures to stop it, otherwise irreversible changes in the central nervous system are possible.

According to the degree of danger, anticonvulsant drugs for children can be divided into two groups:

Drugs that practically do not depress respiration. These include benzodiazepines: Droperidol, Lidocaine.
Breathing suppressants. These are barbiturates, "Magnesium sulfate".

If you have diagnosed a seizure in your child, then you do not need to wait for its recurrence, but you need to urgently consult a doctor. In case of single convulsions during a high temperature, the next time you should not wait for the thermometer to rise above 38 degrees, knock it down earlier and do not provoke an attack.

If such conditions are observed in a child often, then treatment will be prescribed to him. Any anticonvulsant is used strictly in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. In young children, Phenobarbital is most often used in treatment.

It not only prevents the appearance of seizures, but also calms the nervous system and has a slight hypnotic effect.

Doctors often prescribe one anticonvulsant for the treatment of such conditions for children - this is a mixture of Sereisky and its variety. It contains: luminal, caffeine and papaverine. In combination, they relieve spasms well and improve the nutrition of nerve cells.

Muscle spasm in the legs

If an epileptic seizure, which is accompanied by convulsions, is a relatively infrequent phenomenon, since the percentage of such patients is relatively small, then almost every person has probably experienced a sharp spasm in the legs. It appears at a time when the muscle stops contracting. Most often, this phenomenon can be observed in the gastrocnemius muscle. This spasm usually lasts several minutes. After its end, the painful sensations can disappear without a trace, and in some cases, you can feel pain in the muscle for several days.

Often, such attacks occur at night, some remember the sensations when in the water while swimming at the sea, In this case, it is desirable that someone was there to help.

If this happens to you often enough, then you should not dismiss this problem, but you should consult a doctor.

Causes of leg cramps

If we talk about the reasons that can provoke the development of a sharp muscle spasm in the leg, then the following can be noted:

Idiopathic Occurs for an unknown reason, most often at night, especially in the elderly. Such problems are also known to athletes. According to scientists, this occurs when the muscle is already in a contracted state, and the nervous system sends another impulse to it to contract. If you periodically train your muscles and do stretching exercises, you can reduce the number of such attacks or eliminate them altogether.
Another group of seizures can signal a number of problems in the body:

Dehydration.
Pregnancy.
Flat feet.
Overweight.
Lack of calcium and magnesium.
Nervous strain.
Diseases of the thyroid gland.
Imbalance of potassium and sodium in the blood.
Narrowing of the arteries of the legs, which is often seen in smokers.
Alcohol abuse.
Hypothermia of the legs.
Lack of B vitamins, lack of vitamins D, E.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why leg cramps can bother you and complicate your life.

First aid and treatment of leg cramps

When a person has a leg or arm, the primary task is to remove this attack as quickly as possible. What can you recommend to do to stop the spasm?

Stand on the leg that you have brought together, just holding on to the chair. Although this action is painful, it is considered quite effective.
You can substitute your leg under hot water, if possible.
Press hard on the middle of the muscle.
Self-massage from the ankle to the hip.
Grasp with both hands and pull up and towards you.
Try to pinch yourself on the spasmodic area several times.
A tip from athletes is to inject a pin into a muscle.

After you manage to relieve the painful muscle spasm, it is advisable not to delay a visit to the doctor, especially if you often have seizures. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the established causes of this condition.

There are several ways to deal with this problem:

Drug treatment.
Using folk remedies.
Special gymnastics.

If we talk about drug treatment, the best anticonvulsants for the legs are Orthocalcium + Magnesium and Ortho Taurin Ergo.

The first medicine saturates the body with magnesium, as well as other minerals and vitamins, without which normal muscle function is impossible. Sometimes, after the first application, the effect is noticeable, but more often it is necessary to undergo a month's course of treatment with this drug.

"Ortho Taurine Ergo" is even more effective, it is prescribed even for epileptic seizures. He, like all anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants), relieves an attack. Its effect is enhanced by the presence of vitamins E, B, zinc and lipoic acid in the composition.

Doctors often prescribe next-generation anticonvulsants for the legs because they not only help relieve spasms quickly, but also reduce mental and physical fatigue.

An even greater effect will be achieved if these two drugs - "Orthocalcium + magnesium" and "Ortho Taurine Ergo" - are taken together. The cramps will be less and less bothersome, and the treatment will go faster.

The rate of healing and ego efficiency can be positively influenced by gymnastics. Some exercises (best done in the morning) will help your muscles get back to normal faster:

Standing near a chair, put your feet crosswise and lean on the outer sides. After a few seconds, take the starting position.
Sitting on a chair, bend your fingers with all your might, and then straighten.
From a standing position, raise yourself on your toes so that your heels fall behind the floor, and then drop sharply.
Before going to bed, you can perform rotational movements of the feet, as well as flexion and extension of the toes.

The ability of traditional medicine should also not be discounted. Healers offer the following tips for leg cramps:

Rub lemon juice into the skin of your feet every morning and evening. It is not worth wiping, it is necessary for it to be absorbed by itself.
Bay oil works well. You can prepare it in the following way: 50 grams of a leaf should be poured with 250 ml of vegetable oil and left for two weeks in a dark place. After straining, it is necessary to smear it on the places where the cramp is most often cramped.
Mix celandine juice and petroleum jelly in a 1: 2 ratio, rub your hands or feet with this mixture where spasms occur.

Any disease requires an integrated approach. Seizures are not an exception. Treatment will be more effective if drugs, folk remedies, and exercise are used together.

Prevention of convulsive conditions

If epilepsy is the cause of the seizures, it will require serious treatment. Only regular intake of medications and the implementation of all the recommendations of doctors will avoid periodic seizures.

If you have frequent muscle spasms in your arms or legs, the following guidelines may be advised:

The diet should be built so that it contains a sufficient amount of all essential minerals and vitamins.
In winter, you can replenish the supply of elements by taking synthetic vitamins and biological supplements.
You need to drink about 2 liters of water per day.
Limit your sugar intake.
Don't get carried away with caffeine, it can flush calcium out of your bones.
If you are involved in sports, then you need to properly distribute the load.
Do not go into too cold water when relaxing at sea.
When sitting in a chair, never put your legs under you, especially both at once.

If, nevertheless, prevention did not help you, and seizures occur, then you should consult a doctor. There is no need to buy over-the-counter anticonvulsants, otherwise you can only hurt yourself even more.

Anticonvulsants are drugs that can prevent seizures of varying severity and origin without affecting other body functions. This broad pharmacological group is also called anticonvulsants. It is subdivided into several subgroups of the second and third level, as well as drugs of the new and old generation. Which of the drugs is suitable for each individual case, the attending physician must decide.

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Classification

Anticonvulsants are divided into several generally accepted classifications, each of which is actively used in medicine. The first classification subdivides anticonvulsants according to the mechanism of action, the second - according to the chemical structure of the active substance.

No anticonvulsant drug is available over the counter.

By the mechanism of action

Anticonvulsants work by two main mechanisms: stimulation of dopaminergic transmission and inhibition of cholinergic transmission. The funds representing these groups are presented in the table:

Anticholinergics, which do not have a central action, but are effective locally, as a rule, are not used in the treatment of convulsions.

By chemical structure

The classification of drugs with an anticonvulsant effect by chemical structure is more extensive. It includes five main groups that unite drugs according to the structure of the active substance:

The table shows the main groups of anticonvulsants by chemical structure. Medicines based on valproic acid, iminostilbenes, oxazolidinones can also be used. When treating seizures and neuralgia, it is important not only to achieve a therapeutic effect, but also to reduce the likelihood of side effects. For this, a classification of anticonvulsants has been developed for each type of epileptic seizure. The classification includes drugs of a new generation.

Drugs of choice

Drugs of choice are drugs that are widely used for certain diseases and in most cases studied are most effective. The main seizure pathologies and a list of drugs of choice for them:

psychomotor and large seizures, status epilepticus - Diphenin;
psychomotor and large convulsive seizures in stroke - Carbamazepine;
psychomotor seizures, myoclonic epilepsy - Clonazepam;
severe psychomotor partial seizures, clonic-tonic convulsions - Lamotrigine;
myoclonic epilepsy - sodium valproate;
focal seizures, status epilepticus in children - Benzobamil.

If the drugs of choice do not have an effect or are poorly tolerated, an option is considered with replacing the drug with an analogue by action from the second line of drugs for a specific pathology.

Diphenin

Phenytoin is the first line of treatment for status epilepticus and major seizures. Released in the form of tablets, 10 pieces in a blister, 99.5 mg of the active ingredient in one tablet.

Pharmacological properties

Inhibits convulsive activity, stabilizes the threshold of excitability. It is actively distributed in tissues, excreted by saliva and gastric juice, and penetrates the placenta. Metabolized in the liver.

Indications

Diphenin is indicated for the following pathologies:

large seizures;
status epilepticus;
heart rhythm disturbances with organic lesions of the central nervous system;
overdose of cardiac glycosides;
trigeminal neuralgia.

It is used as a prophylactic agent to prevent epilepsy in neurosurgery.

Contraindications

The use of Diphenin for heart failure, atrioventricular block, sinus bradycardia is prohibited. It is not prescribed for hepatic or renal failure, porphyria.

Used with caution for children with rickets, the elderly and diabetics, with chronic alcoholism. The combination with Delavirdine is contraindicated.

Adverse Reactions

When treating with drugs based on phenytoin, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, nervousness, and dizziness are noted. In a laboratory study of blood, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia may occur.

Undesirable reactions such as thickening of the lips and facial contours, osteoporosis, skin rashes, dermatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus are not excluded. An allergic reaction is accompanied by anaphylaxis.

Carbamazepine

Preparations based on it are indicated for psychomotor and large seizures. Carbamazepine is available in tablets with an active ingredient concentration of 0.2 g.

Pharmacological properties

Drugs used for leg cramps and generalized seizures act by blocking sodium channels and reducing synaptic conduction of nerve impulses.

Carbamazepine stabilizes nerve fiber membranes and prevents neuronal discharges. The choice of a preparation for the legs should be made after additional consultations with a cardiologist and phlebologist.

Indications for use

Carbamazepine is indicated for the following pathologies:

epilepsy;
convulsive seizures;
tonic-clonic seizures;
mixed forms of seizures;
alcohol withdrawal;
acute manic states.

It can be used for neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal and trigeminal nerves as part of complex therapy.

Contraindications

Do not prescribe Carbamazepine to patients with atrioventricular block, bone marrow suppression and hepatic porphyria, including late skin porphyria. Combination with MAO inhibitors is prohibited.

Adverse Reactions

Most often, there are undesirable reactions from the central nervous system: dizziness, headache, drowsiness, migraine, weakness. Taking Carbamazepine may be accompanied by undesirable effects from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting.

Allergic manifestations are characterized by urticaria, skin rashes, vasculitis, lymphadenopathy. In case of violations from other organs as a result of allergies, the drug should be discontinued.

Clonazepam

Representative of the group of benzodiazepine derivatives. It is produced in the form of tablets with a concentration of the active substance - clonazepam - 2 mg. The composition contains lactose.

Pharmacological properties

Affects many structures of the central nervous system, the limbic system and the hypothalamus, structures associated with the regulation of emotional functions. Strengthens the inhibitory effect of GABA-ergic neurons in the cerebral cortex.

Reduces the activity of noradrenergic, cholinergic, serotonergic neurons. Acts as an anticonvulsant, sedative, anti-anxiety and hypnotic.

Indications

The use of Clonazepam is indicated in the following cases:

all forms of epilepsy in adults and children;
epileptic seizures - complex and simple;
secondary simple seizures;
primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures;
myoclonic and clonic seizures;
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome;
paroxysmal fear syndrome.

It can be used to eliminate fears, phobias, in particular the fear of open spaces. It is not used to treat phobias in underage patients.

Contraindications

The use of Clonazepam is contraindicated in case of impaired respiratory function or respiratory failure, with disturbances of consciousness and sleep apnea.

It is forbidden to prescribe to patients with acute-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, during breastfeeding. Severe liver and / or kidney dysfunction is a contraindication.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions are observed from the central nervous system: fatigue, muscle weakness, impaired coordination of movements, dizziness. Symptoms are temporary and disappear on their own or when the dosage is reduced.

With long-term treatment, the phenomenon of delayed speech and weakened coordination develops, as well as visual disturbances in the form of double vision. Allergic reactions are possible.

Lamotrigine

One of the most popular drugs for seizures and epilepsy. Available in pill form. One tablet contains 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg of lamotrigine.

The preparation also contains lactose monohydrate.

Pharmacological properties

An anticonvulsant drug, the mechanism of action of which is associated with blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels of the presynaptic membrane. The drug acts so that glutamate, an amino acid that plays a decisive role in the formation of an epileptic seizure, does not enter the synaptic cleft.

Indications and contraindications

For adults and children over 12 years old, Lamotrigine is prescribed as the main and additional therapy for epilepsy, including partial and generalized seizures. Effective against tonic-clonic seizures and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Lamotrigine is used in children from 2 years of age for the same indications.

Contraindication is hypersensitivity to the active substance or other components of the drug.