Trimethadione

Trimethadione is an anticonvulsant medication that was primarily used in the treatment of epilepsy. It was first synthesized in the 1940s and was marketed under the brand name Tridione.

History

Trimethadione was first synthesized in the 1940s by the pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories. It was one of the first anticonvulsant drugs to be developed and was marketed under the brand name Tridione. The drug was primarily used in the treatment of petit mal seizures, a type of epilepsy that is characterized by brief, sudden lapses in consciousness.

Pharmacology

Trimethadione works by reducing the firing rate of neurons in the brain. It does this by blocking T-type calcium channels, which are responsible for the rapid firing of neurons that occurs during a seizure. By blocking these channels, trimethadione can help to prevent seizures from occurring.

Side Effects and Risks

Like all medications, trimethadione can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects of trimethadione include dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In rare cases, trimethadione can cause more serious side effects, such as liver damage or blood disorders.

One of the most serious risks associated with trimethadione is the potential for teratogenicity. Studies have shown that women who take trimethadione during pregnancy have an increased risk of having a child with birth defects. Because of this risk, trimethadione is typically only used as a last resort, when other anticonvulsant medications have proven ineffective.

Current Use

Today, trimethadione is rarely used due to the availability of newer, safer anticonvulsant medications. However, it may still be used in some cases where other treatments have proven ineffective.

See Also

• Anticonvulsant
• Epilepsy
• T-type calcium channel
• Teratogenicity