Anticonvulsant and anti-seizure agents

Anticonvulsant and anti-seizure agents are used widely for a variety of diseases and symptoms including insomnia, depression, and pain. As with many drugs, anticonvulsants can act in immunomodulatory ways, sometimes in ways that have yet to be fully understood.

Although the ultimate goal is to discontinue taking these medications, patients experiencing intolerable insomnia, pain, mental disturbance, etc. should seek relief. If anticonvulsants palliate severe symptoms and allow patients to continue the MP in a safe and tolerable manner, these drugs are not contraindicated.

Patients should work with their physician to wean from these drugs when their symptoms become tolerable.

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Novo-Carbamazepine, Tegral, Tegretol)
• carisoprodol (Soma)
• chininsulfat (Chinin)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• divalproex sodium (Depakote)
• gabapentin (Neurontin, Nupentin, Ratio-Gabapentin)
• lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• pregabalin (Lyrica)
• topiramate (Topamax)
• valproic acid (Depakene)

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