retigabine

Retigabine (also known as ezogabine in the US) is a unique anticonvulsant that was primarily used as an adjunctive treatment for partial epilepsies in treatment-experienced adult patients. It has a distinctive mechanism of action compared to other antiepileptic drugs, working primarily as a potassium channel opener by activating voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv7.2-7.5, formerly KCNQ2-5) in the brain. This mechanism enables generation of the M-current, stabilizes the membrane potential, and controls neuronal excitability. Additionally, it may affect GABA neurotransmission by enhancing the GABA-A receptor. Developed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline, it was approved in 2011 but discontinued globally in June 2017 due to serious side effects, including a black box warning related to risks of retinal abnormalities, potential vision loss, and blue discoloration of the skin, nail, mucous membrane, and eyes.

Brand names

TrobaltPotiga

Other names

ezogabine