ATC Group: N03AA Barbiturates and derivatives

Methylphenobarbital is a barbiturate derivative and is used primarily as an anticonvulsant, but also as a sedative and anxiolytic. It is the N-methylated analogue of phenobarbital and has similar indications, therapeutic value, and tolerability.

Phenobarbital has sedative effects and has some protective action against all varieties of human partial and generalised epilepsy, with the exception of absence seizures. Phenobarbital is also effective in preventing seizures in the corresponding experimental animal models of epilepsy.

Primidone is an anticonvulsant. Although the precise mode of action of primidone is unknown, in common with other anticonvulsants, effects on the neuronal membrane particularly with respect to alteration of ionic fluxes are likely to play a fundamental role.