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Medications for Seizures (Convulsions)

Other names: Absence Seizure; Complex Partial Seizure; Fits

About Seizures:  A seizure or convulsion can be a sudden, violent, uncontrollable contraction of a group of muscles. A seizure can also be more subtle, consisting of only a brief "loss of contact" or a few moments of what appears to be daydreaming.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs Used to Treat Seizures

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Keppra C N X 136 reviews
6.4

Generic name: levetiracetam systemic

Drug class: pyrrolidine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

levetiracetam C N X 171 reviews
6.5

Generic name: levetiracetam systemic

Brand names:  Keppra, Keppra XR, Elepsia XR, Roweepra, Roweepra XR, Spritam …show all

Drug class: pyrrolidine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Dilantin D N X 35 reviews
6.8

Generic name: phenytoin systemic

Drug class: hydantoin anticonvulsants, group I antiarrhythmics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Vimpat C 5 103 reviews
7.1

Generic name: lacosamide systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Trileptal C N X 19 reviews
7.6

Generic name: oxcarbazepine systemic

Drug class: dibenzazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

phenobarbital D 4 X 17 reviews
8.6

Generic name: phenobarbital systemic

Brand name:  Luminal

Drug class: barbiturates, barbiturate anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

phenytoin D N X 44 reviews
6.8

Generic name: phenytoin systemic

Brand names:  Dilantin, Phenytoin Sodium, Phenytek

Drug class: hydantoin anticonvulsants, group I antiarrhythmics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

diazepam D 4 X 7 reviews
8.8

Generic name: diazepam systemic

Brand names:  Valium, Diastat, Diastat AcuDial, Diazepam Intensol, Diastat Pediatric …show all

Drug class: benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

oxcarbazepine C N X 27 reviews
7.7

Generic name: oxcarbazepine systemic

Brand names:  Trileptal, Oxtellar XR

Drug class: dibenzazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

zonisamide C N X 52 reviews
6.0

Generic name: zonisamide systemic

Brand name:  Zonegran

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zonegran C N X 30 reviews
6.9

Generic name: zonisamide systemic

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Keppra XR C N X 8 reviews
8.1

Generic name: levetiracetam systemic

Drug class: pyrrolidine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Valium D 4 X 1 review
9.3

Generic name: diazepam systemic

Drug class: benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Diastat D 4 X 1 review
7.0

Generic name: diazepam systemic

Drug class: benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

topiramate D N X 12 reviews
8.6

Generic name: topiramate systemic

Brand names:  Topamax, Trokendi XR, Qudexy XR, Topamax Sprinkle, Topiragen …show all

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Depakene D N X 1 review
5.5

Generic name: valproic acid systemic

Drug class: fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Mysoline N N X 6 reviews
9.4

Generic name: primidone systemic

Drug class: barbiturate anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

valproic acid D N X 4 reviews
7.5

Generic name: valproic acid systemic

Brand name:  Depakene

Drug class: fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Gabitril C N X 2 reviews
6.0

Generic name: tiagabine systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid reuptake inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

primidone N N X 12 reviews
8.6

Generic name: primidone systemic

Brand name:  Mysoline

Drug class: barbiturate anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zarontin N N X 6 reviews
9.3

Generic name: ethosuximide systemic

Drug class: succinimide anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Aptiom C N 18 reviews
7.3

Generic name: eslicarbazepine systemic

Drug class: dibenzazepine anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Luminal D 4 X 2 reviews
8.7

Generic name: phenobarbital systemic

Drug class: barbiturates, barbiturate anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Phenytoin Sodium D N X Add review
6.0

Generic name: phenytoin systemic

Drug class: hydantoin anticonvulsants, group I antiarrhythmics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Topamax D N X 2 reviews
8.5

Generic name: topiramate systemic

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Topics under Seizures

Legend

Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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