Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects both adults and children. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, over three million Americans suffer from some form of epilepsy, and over 200,000 cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year. Epileptic seizures are caused when the brain is overloaded with signals between nerve cells in the brain. Normally, a signal is transmitted and then turned back off, but during a seizure the signal continues, causing unconsciousness and uncontrolled muscle contractions. A number of drugs have been developed to control the risk of seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy.
Luminal
Luminal, also called phenobarbital, is an epilepsy medication which was first discovered in 1912. It belongs to a class of drugs called barbiturates, which are nervous-system depressants. Luminal functions to dampen signaling between brain cells, protecting against the over-activation that occurs during epileptic seizures. According to Epilepsy.com, Luminal is usually taken once a day to prevent seizures.
Epilepsy.com reports that use of Luminal can have side effects in some patients. The most common side effects are tiredness and behavioral changes. Luminal is also an addictive drug, and cessation of treatment may cause withdrawal seizures and other withdrawal effects.
Tegretol
Tegretol, also called carbamazepine, is an epilepsy medication developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Tegretol works by targeting the function of proteins called ion channels, which play a role in signaling within brain cells. In an epileptic seizure, signaling through the ion channels becomes dysregulated, so the signal is always on. Tegretol works to stabilize the closed, inactive ion channel, to prevent the overloading of signaling that would occur in a seizure. By regulating ion channel signaling, Tegretol prevents seizures.
Tegretol has a number of possible side effects. According to New York University, some common side effects of the drug are dizziness, sleepiness, nausea and headaches. More severe side effects may include allergic reactions, blood abnormalities and liver damage.
Klonopin
Klonopin, which is also known as clonazepam, is a therapeutic used to treat and control epilepsy. According to New York University, Klonopin is often used to treat cluster seizures, and taking Klonopin before the onset of a large seizure may prevent the seizure. Klonopin belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which function to decrease the activity of the nervous system and slightly dampen signaling between brain cells. Klonopin protects against the over-activation of brain cells that occurs in seizures, to effectively control epilepsy.
Taking Klonopin may have a number of side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, unsteadyness and nausea. More serious side effects may include liver damage and jaundice, or allergic reactions.
