Both Trileptal and Keppra are used to treat certain types of epileptic seizures, but they contain different active ingredients that belong to distinct drug classes and work by different mechanisms to control seizures. Understanding these differences helps determine the most appropriate medication for each patient.
Trileptal Tablets Ingredients
Trileptal tablets contain the active ingredient oxcarbazepine. Oxcarbazepine is a derivative of carbamazepine and works by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels in neurons in the brain. This helps stabilize overactive neuronal membranes and reduces the spread of electrical activity that leads to seizures.
Keppra Tablets Ingredients
Keppra tablets contain the active ingredient levetiracetam. Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant drug, but its precise mechanism of action is not fully understood. It is believed to bind to a protein in the synaptic spaces of the brain (synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A)), which may affect the release of neurotransmitters and help prevent the spread of abnormal electrical activity that causes seizures.
About Trileptal Tablets
Drug Class: Anticonvulsants
Drug Classification: Carboxamide Derivatives
Pharmaceutical Form: Tablets
Pharmaceutical Family: Central Nervous System Drugs
Active Ingredient: Oxcarbazepine
About Keppra Tablets
Drug Class: Anticonvulsants
Drug Classification: Pyrrolidone Derivatives
Pharmaceutical Form: Tablets
Pharmaceutical Family: Central Nervous System Drugs
Active Ingredient: Levetiracetam