Effects of felbamate and other anticonvulsant drugs in two models of status epilepticus in the rat.

Felbamate was compared with several antiepileptic drugs for protective effects in two rat models of status epilepticus. Felbamate was ten times more potent against pilocarpine-induced seizures in lithium-treated rats than in lithium-free animals. Diazepam, valproate and phenobarbital were effective in both the high dose pilocarpine and lithium-pilocarpine models. On the other hand, phenytoin was ineffective in both models, whereas carbamazepine displayed protective effects only in the lithium-pilocarpine model.