Aminophylline and imidazole as convulsants.

The convulsive actions of aminophylline (APH) and imidazole (IDZ) have been tested against a series of anticonvulsants, and their patterns of sensitivity to these agents are compared with those of other convulsants. APH was antagonized by phenobarbital and chloridiazepoxide, but less effectively than is pentylenetetrazol. Antagonism by trimethadione was not significant. Ethosuximide, phenytoin and aminooxyacetic acid potentiated APH, an effect not seen with other convulsants in our previous studies. IDZ-induced seizures were found to be relative refractory to anticonvulsants, but were antagonized to a small degree by all of those mentioned above except phenytoin; aminooxyacetic acid was relatively the most effective. Phenytoin potentiated IDZ-induced seizures. Subconvulsive doses of APH potentiated pentylenetetrazol- and 3-mercaptopropionic acid-induced seizures about equally, as did IDZ. Possible mechanism of action are discussed.