Ethosuximide

• (RS )-3- ethyl-3- methylpyrrolidine -2 ,5- dione
• (± )-3- ethyl-3- methylpyrrolidine -2 ,5- dione
• Rac- 3-ethyl- 3- methylpyrrolidine -2 ,5- dione

N03AD01

Antiepileptic

Soluble in ethanol (100 mg / ml)

Attention

1820 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

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Ethosuximide is a drug with anticonvulsant effect, which is used to treat epilepsy. Its chemical structure is similar to that of phenytoin, which is also used for the anti-epileptic therapy.

Mechanism of action and direction

Ethosuximide reduces the voltage-dependent calcium currents in the neurons of the thalamus by the blockade of T-type calcium channels. It is mainly used in the treatment of generalized absence seizures in particular the child's age and here is a super-additive effect on valproic acid, when combined with this.

Side effects

Dose-dependent nausea, vomiting, hiccups, fatigue, headache, depression, movement disorders and psychosis may occur. Dose Regardless different skin rashes through to Stevens -Johnson syndrome and blood dyscrasias are described.

Chemistry

Ethosuximide is a chiral drug with a chiral center. Therapeutically is the racemate, the 1:1 mixture of the (S ) - and (R)- isomers used.