Top 300 Drugs – Anticonvulsants and treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease

Valproic acid

Brand = Depakote

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures, bipolar, migraine px

Phenytoin

Brand = Dilantin

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Lacosamide

Brand = Vimpat

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Carbamazepine

Brand = Tegretol

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Oxcarbazepine

Brand = Trileptal

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Lamotrigine

Brand = Lamictal

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures, bipolar

Zonisamide

Brand = Zonegran

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Levetiracetam

Brand = Keppra

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures

Topiramate

Brand = Topamax

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Seizures, migraine px

Pregabalin

Brand = Lyrica

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Neuropathic pain, seizures

Gabapentin

Brand = Neurontin

Drug Class = Anticonvulsant

Typical Use = Neuropathic pain, seizures

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Brand = Sinemet

Drug Class = Anti-Parkinson

Typical Use = Parkinson’s disease

Ropinirole

Brand = Requip

Drug Class = Anti-Parkinson (DA agonist)

Typical Use = PD, RLS

Pramipexole

Brand = Mirapex

Drug Class = Anti-Parkinson (DA agonist)

Typical Use = PD, RLS

Donepezil

Brand = Aricept

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (AChE-I)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Galantamine

Brand = Razadyne

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (AChE-I)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Rivastigmine

Brand = Exelon

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (AChE-I)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Memantine

Brand = Namenda

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (NMDA antag)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Donepezil / Memantine

Brand = Namzaric

Drug Class = AChE-I + NMDA

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Lecanemab

Brand = Leqembi

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (mAb)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Donanemab

Brand = Kisunla

Drug Class = Anti-Alzheimer (mAb)

Typical Use = Alzheimer’s

Anticonvulsants

Mechanism/Therapeutic Rationale – Essentially calm neuronal overactivity

Hallmark Common SEs ✓ – dizziness, ataxia, sedation

Serious / Black-Box – SJS/TEN (for some), respiratory depression with opioids (gabapentin/pregabalin).

High-Yield Interactions/Contra-Ind. – CYP enzyme inducers and inhibitors; alcohol/CNS depressants ↑ sedation and respiratory depression with gabapentin/pregabalin.

Anti-Parkinson Agents

Mechanism – Dopamine replacement (levodopa) or agonism (ropinirole, pramipexole).

Serious SEs – dyskinesias & hallucinations

Interactions/CI – Dopamine antagonists (antipsychotics, metoclopramide) blunt effect

Anti-Alzheimer Agents

Mechanism – Symptom treatment (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, memantine) vs. disease modifying (mAb therapy)

Common SEs ✓ –Dizziness

Serious – bradycardia (AChE-Is), ARIA cerebral edema/bleed (mAbs).

Interactions/CI – Anticholinergics oppose AChE-Is; β-blockers ↑ bradycardia