Posted 15 June 2008 - 07:54 PM
I have experience using Lyrica, Neurontin, and Keppra for muscle tension. No side effects, but they're too weak to want to use as monotherapy. A friend was on Topamax for migraine prevention and had to stop because the side effects were so awful. Piracetam augments anticonvulsants, so it's worth trying. Nefiracetam seems to complement Keppra if you ever go that route.
J Neural Transm. 2004 Sep;111(9):1121-39.
Effects of piracetam alone and in combination with antiepileptic drugs in rodent seizure models.
Fischer W, Kittner H, Regenthal R, Russo E, De Sarro G.
Rudolf-Boehm-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Germany. fisw@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
The nootropic drug piracetam was investigated in various experimental models of epilepsy. Generally, piracetam exhibits no or only moderate anticonvulsant properties against generalized tonic or clonic seizures. However, in many cases it did increase the anticonvulsant effectiveness of conventional antiepileptics, as shown in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) threshold test, the traditional MES test or in DBA/2 mice. A pharmacokinetic interaction does not seem to be responsible for this effect. In lethargic mice, a model of absence seizures, piracetam significantly decreased the incidence and duration of spike-wave discharges. Furthermore, in the cobalt-induced focal epilepsy model piracetam reduced the number of spikes/min and in the hippocampal stimulation model it increased the anticonvulsant potency of phenobarbital and phenytoin after single and repeated administration. In conclusion, the well tolerated piracetam itself did not show marked anticonvulsant effects in most screening tests, however, its co-medication with antiepileptic drugs improved seizure protection in various models which may bear potential clinical significance.
PMID: 15338329
Epilepsia. 2005 Oct;46(10):1561-8.
Effects of Nefiracetam, a novel pyrrolidone-type nootropic agent, on the amygdala-kindled seizures in rats.
Kitano Y, Komiyama C, Makino M, Kasai Y, Takasuna K, Kinoshita M, Yamazaki O, Takazawa A, Yamauchi T, Sakurada S.
New Product Research Laboratories II, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Edogawa-ku, Tokyo. kitanpms@daiichipharm.co.jp
PURPOSE: Nefiracetam (NEF) is a novel pyrrolidonetype nootropic agent, and it has been reported to possess various pharmacologic effects as well as cognition-enhancing effects. The present study focused on the effects of NEF in amygdala-kindled seizures and its potential for antiepileptic therapy. METHODs: Effects of NEF on fully amygdala-kindled seizures and development of amygdala-kindled seizures were investigated in rats and compared with those of levetiracetam (LEV), a pyrrolidone-type antiepileptic drug (AED). RESULTS: In fully amygdala-kindled rats, NEF (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased afterdischarge induction, afterdischarge duration, seizure stage, and motor seizure duration in a dose-dependent manner. LEV (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effects on afterdischarge induction and slightly decreased afterdischarge duration, whereas it markedly decreased seizure stage and motor seizure duration. In contrast to the results in fully amygdala-kindled rats, NEF (25 and 50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) had few or no effects on the development of amygdala-kindled seizures. As well as fully amygdala-kindled seizures, LEV (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) markedly inhibited the development of behavioral seizures without reducing daily afterdischarge duration. CONCLUSIONS: Although NEF possesses potent anticonvulsant effects on fully amygdala-kindled seizures, it has few or no effects on the development of amygdala-kindled seizures. LEV shows marked anticonvulsant effects on both phases of kindling. In fully amygdala-kindled rats, NEF inhibits both electroencephalographic and behavioral seizures, whereas LEV inhibits only behavioral seizures. This double dissociation suggests that NEF has a distinct anticonvulsant spectrum and mechanisms from those of LEV.
PMID: 16190926
Semin Neurol. 2002 Mar;22(1):27-39.
Some common issues in the use of antiepileptic drugs.
Asconapé JJ.
Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5250, USA.
Since 1993, eight new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have become available in the United States for the treatment of epilepsy: felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and zonisamide. Of the older AEDs, six continue to be widely used: phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, ethosuximide, carbamazepine, and valproate. As a result, there is a relatively large number of alternative AEDs for the treatment of any given type of epilepsy. This has been particularly beneficial for patients with generalized epilepsies, both idiopathic and symptomatic. Given the wide availability of effective agents, the toxicity and pharmacokinetic profile of an AED have become major factors in the selection process. A number of common clinical situations may benefit from the abundance of AEDs. Chronic toxicity observed with some of the older AEDs such as osteoporosis, gingival hyperplasia, or alterations in reproductive endocrine function may be avoided with the use of the newer agents. The obese patient with epilepsy may benefit from the use of AEDs such as topiramate or zonisamide, which have a tendency to produce weight loss. In patients with a history of drug-induced skin rash, AEDs such as valproate, gabapentin, topiramate, tiagabine, and levetiracetam carry a lower risk of cross-reactivity. In patients sensitive to cognitive dysfunction, drugs with a favorable profile include gabapentin, tiagabine, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and levetiracetam. A more favorable pharmacokinetic profile is observed in the majority of the newer AEDs in contraposition to the classic agents. Good absorption, linear kinetics, and low drug-drug interaction potential make these drugs easier to use. The newer AEDs are eliminated through different combinations of liver metabolism and direct renal excretion, thus providing a wider variety of choices in patients with failure of one of these organs. Some specific problems have been found with some of the newer AEDs. Hyponatremia, known to occur rarely with carbamazepine use, appears to be more common with oxcarbazepine. Felbamate has been associated with a high incidence of aplastic anemia and liver failure and should be used exceptionally. Acute angle closure glaucoma has been observed with the use of topiramate. This complication occurs early in the course of therapy and reverses rapidly with discontinuation of the drug, so physician and patient awareness of this problem is very important. In this article several common clinical situations in the management of patients with epilepsy are presented in the form of case studies. These cases illustrate some current aspects of the use of the AEDs and will give some guidelines to help the treating physician in the increasingly complex process of AED selection.
PMID: 12170391
(I almost quit because this made me fell like a moron, my doctor looked at me as if I where to, i was very happy to find imminst). I have also fond some study's conducting that rats provoked to have as seizure compared to control group benefit from having different supplements injected in there bloodstream. I fond this very interesting. Taurine seams be the number one supplement for epilepsy and is active in small doses as well (actually I have already ordered it yesterday). Vitamin B6 is good to as it is involved in the process of forming GABA (unfortunately I cant take it as it interacts with my medication). I have heard that Cognitive enhancers might be useful for epilepsy, for instance benfotiamin seams safe and I have the impression that many of you are taking it. Actually resveratrol seams to have some use for epilepsy to (but I not sure its safe) and if it has pleasant side effects to its grate. Melatonin seams good but I'm not sure it's a good idée for a young person to take it.
