Felbamate (W-554; ADD-03055)

Description: Felbamate (also known as ADD-03055), an antagonist at the NMDA-associated glycine binding site, is an anti-epileptic drug used in the treatment of epilepsy. It is used to treat partial seizures (with and without generalization) in adults and partial and generalized seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children. However, an increased risk of potentially fatal aplastic anemia and/or liver failure limit the drugs usage to severe refractory epilepsy. Felbamate has been proposed to a unique dual mechanism of action as a positive modulator of GABAA receptors and as a blocker of NMDA receptors, particularly isoforms containing the NR2B subunit.

References: Mol Pharmacol. 2004 Feb; 65(2):370-80; Epilepsy Res. 2000 Mar; 39(1):47-55.