Which antiepileptic drug is effective against refractory focal and generalised seizures but its use is severely restricted because it can cause aplastic anaemia and fulminant hepatic failure?
- A Gabapentin
- B Felbamate ✓
- C Levetiracetam
- D Tiagabine
Correct answer: B. Felbamate
Explanation
Felbamate was introduced in the 1990s as a broad-spectrum agent acting partly through NMDA receptor antagonism, but cases of aplastic anaemia and fatal hepatotoxicity led to severe restriction of its use to refractory epilepsy unresponsive to other drugs. Gabapentin, levetiracetam and tiagabine have favourable haematological safety profiles and require no routine blood monitoring.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.