| dc.description.abstract | Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease, defined by neurological changes that occur
in periodic and unpredictable seizures, being characterized by a transient
change in behavior due to abnormal electrical discharges from cerebral
neurons. The first report mentioning the disturbance date about 2000 b.C. and,
during long centuries later, beliefs, myths and misconceptions involving
epilepsy. With the development of psychotherapy from the 50s, many patients
previously marginalized of society were reinstated due to effective drugs. So, in
1953, in Basel, Switzerland, chemist Walter Schindler found carbamazepine
during his search for a tricyclic compound with properties similar to the
antipsychotic chlorpromazine, introduced in the market recently. It is believed
that the mechanism of anticonvulsant action occurs by blocking the sodium
channels voltage-dependent, which are one of the mainly contributor to the
rapid membrane depolarization in neuronal processes that occurs in epileptics.
Carbamazepine is used to treat certain types of seizures, with favorable action
in focal or generalized epilepsies, decreasing appreciably clinical
manifestations, and increasing the frequency of generalized seizures of
absence. In addition to the use in situations in which the patient complex
symptoms psychic, psychomotor and psychosensorial. However, adverse
reactions related to the central nervous system, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular
and renal function are observed. Therefore, it is advised the therapeutic drug
monitoring, by measurement of blood, providing an effective treatment,
individualized and with minimal side effects. | |
