Felbamate is an anticonvulsant used to treat severe epilepsy. In particular, in the adult patient population, it can be employed to treat partial seizures (with and without generalization).
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
The mechanism by which felbamate exerts its anticonvulsant activity is unknown, but in animal test systems designed to detect anticonvulsant activity, felbamate has properties in common with other marketed anticonvulsants. In vitro receptor binding studies suggest that felbamate may be an antagonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine-recognition site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-ionophore complex. Antagonism of the NMDA receptor glycine binding site may block the effects of the excitatory amino acids and suppress seizure activity. Animal studies indicate that felbamate may increase the seizure threshold and may decrease seizure spread. It is also indicated that felbamate has weak inhibitory effects on GABA-receptor binding, benzodiazepine receptor binding.
- Primary indication
- For use only in those patients who respond inadequately to alternative treatments and whose epilepsy is so severe that a substantial risk of aplastic anemia and/or liver failure is deemed acceptable in light of the...Curator reviewed · 4 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C11H14N2O4 · 238.2399 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- United States, 1993
- Code names
- ADD-03055 · W-554
- Brand names
Resolves to
WKGXYQFOCVYPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESNC(=O)OCC(COC(N)=O)C1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Felbamate, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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