Ethosuximide is an anticonvulsant.1,2,3,4,5 It increases glucose, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and pyruvate levels in rat brain when administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg.1 Ethosuximide (400 mg/kg) reduces the severity of audiogenic seizures in a rat model of barbiturate withdrawal-induced convulsions.2 It also inhibits tonic hindlimb extension induced by pentylenetetrazole or brainstem stimulation (ED50s = 35 and 70 mg/kg, respectively), as well as leptazol-induced clonic seizures (ED50 = 230 mg/kg), in rats.3,4 Ethosuximide reduces resting tremor by 60% in a macaque model of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP when administered at a dose of 150 mg/animal for 5 days.5 Formulations containing ethosuximide have been used in the treatment of petit mal seizures.
1.Nahorski, S.R.Biochemical effects of the anticonvulsants trimethadione, ethosuximide and chlordiazepoxide in rat brainJ. Neurochem.19(8)1937-1946(1972) 2.Norton, P.R.The effects of drugs on barbiturate withdrawal convulsions in the ratJ. Pharm. Pharmacol.22(10)763-766(1970) 3.Consroe, P.F., and Wolkin, A.L.Anticonvulsant interaction of cannabidiol and ethosuximide in ratsJ. Pharm. Pharmacol.29(8)500-501(1977) 4.Chiu, P., and Burnham, W.M.The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on convulsions triggered by direct stimulation of the brainstemNeuropharmacology21(4)355-359(1982) 5.Gomez-Mancilla, B., Latulippe, J.F., Boucher, R., et al.Effect of ethosuximide on rest tremor in the MPTP monkey modelMov. Disord.7(2)137-141(1992)