Pharm Neurological (brain) Drugs

Pregabalin - ANTICONVULSANTS - Prevent and control seizures by calming electrical activity in the brain.

Lyrica

Nerve Pain

Neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, seizures adjunct

Weight gain, edema, dizziness; controlled (C-V) in some jurisdictions.

Do NOT take with: CNS depressants caution.

Dosage forms: Capsules, oral solution.

Donepezil

Aricept

Alzheimer's Disease

Memantine

Namenda

Alzheimer's Disease

Lamotrigine - MOOD STABILIZERS - Control mood swings in bipolar disorder and protect brain stability.

Lamictal

Bipolar, Seizures

Bipolar maintenance, seizures

Risk of severe rash (SJS/TEN) — titrate slowly; drug interactions with valproate (increases lamotrigine levels).

Do NOT take with: Valproic acid without dose adjustment (↑ lamotrigine levels).

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT, chewable.

Gabapentin - ANTICONVULSANTS - Prevent and control seizures by calming electrical activity in the brain.

Neurontin

Nerve Pain, Seizures

Neuropathic pain, seizures adjunct

Dizziness, somnolence; dose adjustment in renal impairment. Abuse potential reported.

Do NOT take with: CNS depressants caution.

Dosage forms: Capsules, tablets, oral solution.

Levetiracetam - ANTICONVULSANTS - Prevent and control seizures by calming electrical activity in the brain.

Keppra

Seizures

Seizures (broad spectrum)

Behavioral changes reported; minimal drug interactions.

Do NOT take with: Few drug interactions, but monitor mood.

Dosage forms: Tablets, XR tablets, oral solution, IV.

Sumatriptan - TRIPTANS - Treat migraine headaches by narrowing brain blood vessels.

Imitrex

Migraines

Acute migraine relief

5-HT1B/1D agonist — vasoconstrictive; contraindicated in ischemic heart disease and uncontrolled HTN.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs (some triptans), ergots (within 24 hrs) — risk of vasospasm; avoid other triptans same day.

Dosage forms: Tablets, nasal spray, SC injection.

Eletriptan

Relpax

Migraines

Oxcarbazepine

Trileptal

Seizures

Phenytoin - ANTICONVULSANTS - Prevent and control seizures by calming electrical activity in the brain.

Dilantin

Seizures

Seizures (tonic-clonic, partial)

Nonlinear kinetics — narrow therapeutic index; gum hyperplasia, hirsutism, osteomalacia long-term.

Do NOT take with: Drugs that displace or interact via CYP enzymes (many) — monitor levels when starting/stopping interacting meds.

Dosage forms: Capsules, chewable tablets, oral suspension, IV.

Pramipexole

Mirapex

Parkinson's Disease

Ropinirole

Requip

Parkinson's Disease

Topiramate - ANTICONVULSANTS - Prevent and control seizures by calming electrical activity in the brain.

Topamax

Seizures, Migraines

Seizures, migraine prevention

Cognitive slowing, weight loss; risk of metabolic acidosis and kidney stones.

Do NOT take with: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (additive acidosis).

Dosage forms: Tablets, sprinkle capsules.

Divalproex sodium - MOOD STABILIZERS - Control mood swings in bipolar disorder and protect brain stability.

Depakote

Bipolar disorder, seizures, migraine prophylaxis

Hepatotoxicity risk (monitor LFTs), teratogenic (neural tube defects), weight gain.

Do NOT take with: Other hepatotoxic drugs without monitoring; teratogenic — avoid in pregnancy.

Dosage forms: Delayed-release tablets, ER tablets, sprinkle capsules.

rizatriptan - TRIPTANS - Treat migraine headaches by narrowing brain blood vessels.

Maxalt

Migraine

Similar to sumatriptan; avoid with MAOIs.

Do NOT take with: MAOIs, ergots.

Dosage forms: Tablets, ODT.