n. a drug that prevents or reduces the severity and frequency of seizures in various types of epilepsy; the term antiepileptic drug is now preferred since not all epileptic seizures involve convulsions. The choice of drug is dictated by the type of seizure and the patient’s response, and the dosage must be adjusted carefully as individuals vary in their response to these drugs and side-effects may be troublesome. Commonly used antiepileptic drugs include *carbamazepine, *lamotrigine, *phenytoin, *sodium valproate, levetiracetem, topiramate, *gabapentin, pregabalin, and oxcarbazepine. Phenobarbital is no longer commonly prescribed.
Certain anticonvulsants have shown efficacy in treating bipolar disorder and chronic pain, as in postherpetic neuralgia or *peripheral neuropathy, and can be used to prevent migraine and other primary headache syndromes.... anticonvulsant
n. an *anticonvulsant drug used to treat partial *epilepsy and neuropathic pain, including *peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic *neuralgia. Side-effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, drowsiness, and shaky movements. Pregabalin (Lyrica) has similar uses and effects; it is also licensed to treat generalized anxiety disorder.... gabapentin
the nonclinical, or recreational, use of pharmacologically active substances such that continued use results in adverse physiological or psychological effects (see dependence). Substances commonly misused include alcohol (see alcoholism), *amphetamines, *cannabis, *cocaine, *Ecstasy, *heroin, *lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and organic solvents (by inhalation), but also many prescribed medications, such as co-codamol, quetiapine, or pregabalin.... substance misuse
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