Table 3.

Mechanisms of action of selected AEDs

Mechanism	Antiepileptic drugs
Block repetitive activation of sodium channels	Phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate
Enhance slow inactivation of sodium channels	Lacosamide, rufinamide
Enhance activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors	Phenobarbital, benzodiazepines, clobazam
Block N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors	Felbamate
Block α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors	Perampanel, topiramate
Block T-calcium channels	Ethosuximide, valproate
Block N- and L-calcium channels	Lamotrigine, topiramate, zonisamide, valproate
Modulate H-currents	Gabapentin, lamotrigine
Block unique binding sites	Gabapentin, levetiracetam
Inhibit carbonic anhydrase	Topiramate, zonisamide
Open potassium channels (KCNQ [Kv7])	Retigabine
Inhibit GABA transaminase	Vigabatrin
Inhibit GABA reuptake	Tiagabine