| Indication | For the control of tonic-clonic (grand mal) and complex partial (psychomotor) seizures. |
| Pharmacodynamics | Ethotoin is a hydantoin derivative and anticonvulsant. Ethotoin exerts an antiepileptic effect without causing general central nervous system depression. The mechanism of action is probably very similar to that of phenytoin. The latter drug appears to stabilize rather than to raise the normal seizure threshold, and to prevent the spread of seizure activity rather than to abolish the primary focus of seizure discharges. |
| Mechanism of action | The mechanism of action is probably very similar to that of phenytoin. The latter drug appears to stabilize rather than to raise the normal seizure threshold, and to prevent the spread of seizure activity rather than to abolish the primary focus of seizure discharges. Ethotoin inhibits nerve impulses in the motor cortex by lowering sodium ion influx, limiting tetanic stimulation. |
| Absorption | Fairly rapidly absorbed, however, the extent of oral absorption is not known. |
| Volume of distribution | Not Available |
| Protein binding | Not Available |
| Metabolism | Hepatic. The drug exhibits saturable metabolism with respect to the formation of N-deethyl and p-hydroxyl-ethotoin, the major metabolites. |
| Route of elimination | Not Available |
| Half life | 3 to 9 hours |
| Clearance | Not Available |
| Toxicity | Symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, loss of or impaired muscle coordination, nausea, visual disturbance, and, at very high doses, coma. |