Question
Classify Antiepileptic drugs. Explain the mechanism of action, therapeutic uses and
adverse effects of Sodium Valproate. (3+3)
Q1 6 marks Essays ★ ✓
Answer
Classification of antiepileptic drugs (by primary mechanism)
Mechanism Drugs Na⁺ channel blockers Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Lamotrigine, Valproate Ca²⁺ channel blockers (T-type) Ethosuximide, Valproate GABA-potentiating agents Benzodiazepines, Phenobarbitone, Vigabatrin Newer/multiple mechanisms Levetiracetam, Topiramate, Gabapentin
Sodium valproate — mechanism, uses, adverse effects
Mechanism : increases GABA levels (inhibits GABA transaminase), blocks voltage-gated Na⁺ channels, and blocks T-type Ca²⁺ channels — this triple mechanism underlies its broad-spectrum efficacy.Uses : generalized tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures (one of only two effective drugs, alongside ethosuximide), myoclonic seizures, bipolar disorder, migraine prophylaxis.Adverse effects : hepatotoxicity (rare fulminant hepatic failure, particularly in young children), teratogenicity (neural tube defects — the highest risk among antiepileptics, avoided in pregnancy), weight gain, tremor, alopecia, thrombocytopenia, hyperammonemia.
1 Antiepileptics
Other Years Asked
1 ( 2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Essay · 15 marks 2 Classify antiepileptic drugs. Describe the mechanism of action and adverse effects of
phenytoin (2+2+2) 2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 3 A 30-year-old male was brought to the emergency department reporting a sudden
onset of generalised tonic clonic convulsions and fall, in the nearby supermarket. His
blood pressure and electrolytes were found to be normal. A diagnosis of generalised
tonic clonic seizure was made. 2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 4 A 28 years old man, while working on his computer in an IT company, suddenly went
blank, fell down and appeared to be unconscious. He regains consciousness in the
next 5 minutes but was confused and could not remember what happened. When he
consulted a neurologist, he was diagnosed to have absence seizures. Answer the
following: 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 5 Classify antiepileptic drugs. Explain the mechanism of action, uses and adverse effects
of phenytoin and sodium valproate. List four drugs used in status epilepticus.
(2+3+1) 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 6 Enumerate the newer drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy. Write the mechanism of
action of any two agents. Discuss the line of management of Status Epilepticus.
(2+2+2) 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 7 A one-year-old boy with febrile seizures was brought to the emergency department.
( 2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 8 Enumerate four groups of antiepileptic drugs with examples of each. Mention four newer anti
epileptics. Describe the pharmacological actions, adverse effects and therapeutic uses of any
one of them. (2 + 2+ 2 = 6) 2016 February (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 9 Briefly describe the mechanism of action, uses and adverse effects of sodium valproate. 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 4 marks 10 Sodium valproate 2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 11 Sodium valproate 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 12 Lamotrigine 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 13 Phenytoin 2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 14 Carbamazepine 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 15 Carbamazepine 2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 16 Valproic acid 2019 February (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 17 Carbamazepine 2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 18 Phenytoin sodium. 2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 19 Status epilepticus. 2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 20 In treatment of absence seizures 2018 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 21 Drugs for absence seizures 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 22 Carbamazepine in treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia
Name the following (Two examples for each): (5x1=5) 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 23 Antiepileptic drugs 2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 24 Drugs used in Absence seizures. 2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 
