Glutamate receptors

Overview of ionotropic (NMDA, AMPA, Kainate) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR).

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome: the manufacturer recommends genetic testing

  The manufacturer of carbamazepine (Tegretol) updated the drug’s summary of product characteristics: ‘Before deciding to initiate treatment, patients of Han Chinese and Thai origin should whenever possible be screened for HLA-B*1502 as this allele strongly predicts the risk of severe carbamazepine-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ Health Canada warned in March 2008 about carbamazepine’s side effects in […]

Zonisamide (Zonegran): FDA warns about risk of metabolic acidosis and issues recommendations

The FDA issued an alert (February 23, 2009) about the risk of metabolic acidosis in patients treated with zonisamide (Zonegran). An excerpt from the alert on this anticonvulsant adverse effect: Following a review of updated clinical data,  the FDA has determined that treatment with zonisamide can cause metabolic acidosis in some patients.  Zonisamide is indicated […]

Anticonvulsants MCQS for USMLE

Pharmacology questions on anticonvulsants. USMLE style MCQs for pre- test review. Developed by UMKC School of Medicine.

Phenytoin and fosphenytoin linked to Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

From the FDA website: FDA is investigating new preliminary data regarding a potential increased risk of serious skin reactions including Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) from phenytoin therapy in Asian patients positive for a particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, HLA-B*1502. This allele occurs almost exclusively in patients with ancestry across […]

Rufinamide approved as adjunctive for Lennox Gastaut syndrome

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug, Banzel (rufinamide), for use as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. “This approval offers another treatment option for patients who suffer from these debilitating, severe seizures,” said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s […]

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