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Piknolepsin: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Piknolepsin - General Information

An anticonvulsant especially useful in the treatment of absence seizures unaccompanied by other types of seizures. [PubChem]

 

Pharmacology of Piknolepsin

Used in the treatment of epilepsy. Piknolepsin suppresses the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave activity associated with lapses of consciousness which is common in absence (petit mal) seizures. The frequency of epileptiform attacks is reduced, apparently by depression of the motor cortex and elevation of the threshold of the central nervous system to convulsive stimuli.

 

Piknolepsin for patients

Ethosuximide may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a motor vehicle or other such activity requiring alertness; therefore, the patient should be cautioned accordingly.

Patients taking ethosuximide should be advised of the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed dosage regimen.

Patients should be instructed to promptly contact their physician if they develop signs and/or symptoms (eg, sore throat, fever), suggesting an infection.

 

Piknolepsin Interactions

Since Zarontin (ethosuximide) may interact with concurrently administered antiepileptic drugs, periodic serum level determinations of these drugs may be necessary (eg, ethosuximide may elevate phenytoin serum levels and valproic acid has been reported to both increase and decrease ethosuximide levels).

 

Piknolepsin Contraindications

Ethosuximide should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to succinimides.

 

Additional information about Piknolepsin

Piknolepsin Indication

For the treatment of petit mal epilepsy.

Mechanism Of Action
Binds to T-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1G gives rise to T-type calcium currents. T-type calcium channels belong to the "low-voltage activated (LVA)" group and are strongly blocked by mibefradil. A particularity of this type of channels is an opening at quite negative potentials and a voltage-dependent inactivation. T-type channels serve pacemaking functions in both central neurons and cardiac nodal cells and support calcium signaling in secretory cells and vascular smooth muscle. They may also be involved in the modulation of firing patterns of neurons which is important for information processing as well as in cell growth processes.
Food Interactions
Take with food.
Generic Name
Ethosuximide
Synonyms
Ethosuccimide; Ethosuccinimide; Ethosuxide; Etosuximida; Aethosuximide
Drug Category
Anticonvulsants; Succinimides
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Ethosuximide
Asamid; Atysmal; Capitus; Emeside; Epileo Petit Mal; Ethymal; Etomal; Mesentol; Pemal; Pemalin; Pentinimid; Peptinimid; Petinimid; Petnidan; Piknolepsin; Pyknolepsinum; Ronton; Simatin; Succimal; Succimitin; Suxilep; Suximal; Suxin; Suxinutin; Thetamid; Thilopemal; Zaraondan; Zarodan; Zarondan; Zarontin; Zartalin;
Absorption
Bioavailability following oral administration is 93%.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Acute overdoses may produce nausea, vomiting, and CNS depression including coma with respiratory depression.
Biotransformation
Hepatic, via CYP3A4 and CYP2E1.
Half Life
53 hours
Dosage Forms of Piknolepsin
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
3-ethyl-3-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione
Chemical Formula
C7H11NO2
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals