How do anti-seizure drugs help?

Anti-seizure medications appear to interfere with the overactive transmission of pain signals sent from damaged nerves (neuropathy) or overly sensitized nerves, as in fibromyalgia.

Some anti-seizure drugs work particularly well for certain conditions. Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others) is widely prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that can cause searing facial pain that feels like an electric shock.