paramethadione

Paramethadione is an anticonvulsant drug of the oxazolidinedione class developed by Abbott Laboratories. It was approved in 1949 for the control of absence (petit mal) seizures that are refractory to treatment with other medications[3][8]. Paramethadione acts primarily on the central nervous system by reducing T-type calcium currents in thalamic neurons, particularly within the thalamic reticular nucleus. This action inhibits corticothalamic transmission and raises the threshold for repetitive activity in the thalamus, thereby dampening abnormal thalamocortical rhythmicity associated with absence seizures[2][3][6]. The drug is rapidly absorbed via the digestive tract and metabolized hepatically to its active metabolite. Due to safety concerns—including severe adverse effects such as aplastic anemia and teratogenicity—paramethadione was discontinued in 1994[3].

Brand names

Paradione

Other names

5-ethyl-3,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione