Commonly used antiseizure medications: mechanisms of action

Many commonly used ASMs have multiple mechanisms of action, with the majority influencing the function of voltage-gated sodium channels, and many acting as allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors.¹

Cannabidiol does not bind to the orthostatic binding site of CB1 and CB2 receptors. It has been suggested that it may exhibit allosteric binding properties, but its mode of action remains largely unknown.²

References:

1.Löscher W, Klein P. The pharmacology and clinical efficacy of antiseizure medications: from bromide salts to cenobamate and beyond. CNS Drugs 2021; 35 (9): 935‒963.

2.Peng J, Fan M, An C, et al. A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 130 (4): 439‒456.