trimethadione

Trimethadione is an oral anticonvulsant medication primarily used to control absence (petit mal) seizures in patients with epilepsy who have not responded to other treatments[1][2][3][4][5]. It belongs to the oxazolidinedione class and acts by inhibiting voltage-dependent T-type calcium channels in thalamic neurons, thereby reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and raising the threshold for repetitive activity in the thalamus[3][6]. This mechanism dampens abnormal thalamocortical rhythmicity associated with absence seizures. Trimethadione is generally reserved for refractory cases due to its potential toxicity and risk of severe adverse effects such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, nephrotoxicity, hepatitis, aplastic anemia, neutropenia, or agranulocytosis[5]. The drug is metabolized by demethylation in the liver to its active metabolite dimethadione. It was first approved by the FDA in 1946[6].

Brand names

Tridione

Other names

oxazolidinedione anticonvulsant