Rufinamide
Encyclopedia
Rufinamide is an anticonvulsant
medication. It is used in combination with other medication and therapy to treat Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and various other seizure disorders. Rufinamide, a triazole
derivative, was developed in 2004 by Novartis Pharma, AG
, and is manufactured by Eisai
.
Rufinamide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
on November 14, 2008 as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
in children 4 years and older and adults. Its official FDA-approved labeling does not mention use in the treatment of partial seizures inasmuch as clinical trials submitted to the FDA were marginal. However, several recent clinical trials suggest that the drug has efficacy for partial seizures It is marketed under the brand name Banzel. It is also marketed in the European Union under the brand name Inovelon.
The mechanism of action
of rufinamide is unknown. However, it is presumed to involve stabilization of the sodium channel inactive state, effectively keeping these ion channel
s closed. Although the direct mechanism of action may be different, several other antiepileptic agents also stabilize a sodium channel inactive state including phenytoin
, carbamazepine
, and lacosamide
(stabilizes the slow inactive state).
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
medication. It is used in combination with other medication and therapy to treat Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and various other seizure disorders. Rufinamide, a triazole
Triazole
Triazole refers to either one of a pair of isomeric chemical compounds with molecular formula C2H3N3, having a five-membered ring of two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms.The two isomers are:*1,2,3-Triazole 100px*1,2,4-Triazole 100px...
derivative, was developed in 2004 by Novartis Pharma, AG
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
, and is manufactured by Eisai
Eisai Co.
is a Japanese pharmaceutical company, ranking among the top 25 in the world by revenue and achieving $8 billion USD in sales for the fiscal 2008 year. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, it has some 10,000 employees, among them about 1,500 in research. Eisai is a member of the Topix 100 and Nikkei 225...
.
Rufinamide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
on November 14, 2008 as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
in children 4 years and older and adults. Its official FDA-approved labeling does not mention use in the treatment of partial seizures inasmuch as clinical trials submitted to the FDA were marginal. However, several recent clinical trials suggest that the drug has efficacy for partial seizures It is marketed under the brand name Banzel. It is also marketed in the European Union under the brand name Inovelon.
The mechanism of action
Mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect...
of rufinamide is unknown. However, it is presumed to involve stabilization of the sodium channel inactive state, effectively keeping these ion channel
Ion channel
Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that help establish and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of cells by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient. They are present in the membranes that surround all biological cells...
s closed. Although the direct mechanism of action may be different, several other antiepileptic agents also stabilize a sodium channel inactive state including phenytoin
Phenytoin
Phenytoin sodium is a commonly used antiepileptic. Phenytoin acts to suppress the abnormal brain activity seen in seizure by reducing electrical conductance among brain cells by stabilizing the inactive state of voltage-gated sodium channels...
, carbamazepine
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, as well as trigeminal neuralgia...
, and lacosamide
Lacosamide
Lacosamide is a medication developed by UCB for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures and diabetic neuropathic pain marketed under the trade name Vimpat....
(stabilizes the slow inactive state).