Convulsant

A convulsant is a drug which induces convulsions and/or epileptic seizures, the opposite of an anticonvulsant. These drugs generally act as stimulants at low doses, but are not used for this purpose due to the risk of convulsions and consequent excitotoxicity. Most convulsants are antagonists (or inverse agonists) at either the GABAA or glycine receptors, or ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists.[1] Many other drugs may cause convulsions as a side effect at high doses (e.g. bupropion, tramadol, pethidine, dextropropoxyphene, clomipramine) but only drugs whose primary action is to cause convulsions are known as convulsants.[2] Nerve agents such as sarin, which were developed as chemical weapons, produce convulsions as a major part of their toxidrome, but also produce a number of other effects in the body and are usually classified separately.[3][4][5][6] Dieldrin which was developed as an insecticide blocks chloride influx into the neurons causing hyperexcitability of the CNS and convulsions.[7] The Irwin observation test and other studies that record clinical signs are used to test the potential for a drug to induce convulsions.[8] Camphor, and other terpenes given to children with colds can act as convulsants (sympathomimetics, piperazine derivatives, theophylline, antihistamines, etc.) in children who have had febrile seizures.[9]

  1. ^ "Convulsant Agent - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2022-01-15.[vague]
  2. ^ Chen, Hsien-Yi; Albertson, Timothy E.; Olson, Kent R. (March 2016). "Treatment of drug-induced seizures: Treatment of drug-induced seizures". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 81 (3): 412–419. doi:10.1111/bcp.12720. PMC 4767205. PMID 26174744.
  3. ^ Mares P, Folbergrová J, Kubová H (2004). "Excitatory aminoacids and epileptic seizures in immature brain". Physiological Research. 53 (Suppl 1): S115-24. doi:10.33549/physiolres.930000.53.S115. PMID 15119942. S2CID 28716793.
  4. ^ Calabrese EJ (2008). "Modulation of the epileptic seizure threshold: implications of biphasic dose responses". Critical Reviews in Toxicology. 38 (6): 543–56. doi:10.1080/10408440802014261. PMID 18615309. S2CID 5081215.
  5. ^ Johnston GA (May 2013). "Advantages of an antagonist: bicuculline and other GABA antagonists". British Journal of Pharmacology. 169 (2): 328–36. doi:10.1111/bph.12127. PMC 3651659. PMID 23425285.
  6. ^ de Araujo Furtado M, Rossetti F, Chanda S, Yourick D (December 2012). "Exposure to nerve agents: from status epilepticus to neuroinflammation, brain damage, neurogenesis and epilepsy". Neurotoxicology. 33 (6): 1476–1490. doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2012.09.001. PMID 23000013.
  7. ^ "Dieldrin - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2022-01-20.[vague]
  8. ^ "Convulsant Agent - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2022-01-20.[vague]
  9. ^ Galland, M. C.; Griguer, Y.; Morange-Sala, S.; Jean-Pastor, M. J.; Rodor, F.; Jouglard, J. (1992). "Convulsions fébriles : faut-il contre-indiquer certains médicaments ?" [Febrile convulsions: should some drugs be contraindicated?]. Thérapie (in French). 47 (5): 409–414. PMID 1363740. INIST 3915621.