ethosuximide: profile and news

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Other information

Indication
For the treatment of petit mal epilepsy.

Pharmacology
Used in the treatment of epilepsy. Ethosuximide suppresses the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave activity associated with lapses of consciousness which is common in absence (petit mal) seizures. The frequency of epileptiform attacks is reduced, apparently by depression of the motor cortex and elevation of the threshold of the central nervous system to convulsive stimuli.

Mechanism Of Action
Binds to T-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1G gives rise to T-type calcium currents. T-type calcium channels belong to the "low-voltage activated (LVA)" group and are strongly blocked by mibefradil. A particularity of this type of channels is an opening at quite negative potentials and a voltage-dependent inactivation. T-type channels serve pacemaking functions in both central neurons and cardiac nodal cells and support calcium signaling in secretory cells and vascular smooth muscle. They may also be involved in the modulation of firing patterns of neurons which is important for information processing as well as in cell growth processes.

Drug Category
Anticonvulsants; Succinimides; ATC:N03AD01

Brand Names/Synonyms
Aethosuximide; Asamid; Atysmal; C.I. 366; CI-366; Capitus; Cl 366; Emeside; Epileo Petit Mal; Ethosuccimide; Ethosuccinimide; Ethosuxide; Ethosuximide; Ethymal; Etomal; Etosuximid; Etosuximida; H 940; H-490; Mesentol; NSC-64013; PM 671; PM-671; Pemal; Pemalin; Pentinimid; Peptinimid; Petinimid; Petnidan; Piknolepsin; Pyknolepsinum; Ronton; Simatin; Succimal; Succimitin; Suxilep; Suximal; Suxin; Suxinutin; Thetamid; Thilopemal; Uritone; Urodeine; Zaraondan; Zarodan; Zarondan; Zarondan-Saft; Zarontin; Zartalin

Dosage Forms
SYRUP

Absorption
Not Available

Interactions
Interactions for Ethosuximide:

Since Zarontin (ethosuximide) may interact with concurrently administered antiepileptic drugs, periodic serum level determinations of these drugs may be necessary (eg, ethosuximide may elevate phenytoin serum levels and valproic acid has been reported to both increase and decrease ethosuximide levels).

Chemical IUPAC Name
3-ethyl-3-methyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

Chemical Formula
C7H11NO2

Half Life
Not Available

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00318

CAS Registry Number
77-67-8