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Methsuximide
- indication:For the control of absence (petit mal) seizures that are refractory to other drugs.
- pharmacologypharmacology:
- mechanism: Methsuximide suppresses the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave activity associated with lapses of consciousness which is common in absence (petit mal) seizures. The frequency of epileptiform attacks is reduced, apparently by depression of the motor cortex and elevation of the threshold of the central nervous system to convulsive stimuli.
- toxicity: Acute overdoses may produce nausea, vomiting, and CNS depression including coma with respiratory depression. Levels greater than 40 µg/mL have caused toxicity and coma has been seen at levels of 150 µg/mL.
- absorprion:
- halflife: 1.4-2.6 hours for mesuximide and 28-38 hours for the active metabolite.
- roouteelimination:
- volumedistribution:
- clearance: