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Antiepileptics (class)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Antiepileptics

What it is

Antiepileptics (anti-seizure medications) are a class of medicines that make seizures less likely, by calming overactive nerve signalling: some block sodium or calcium channels, others strengthen the calming messenger GABA. The class includes carbamazepine, lamotrigine, valproate, levetiracetam, phenytoin and many others; several are also used for nerve pain or bipolar disorder. This page collects studies that looked at them as a group.

How genes come into it

For the class as a whole, the clearest finding is HLA-B*15:02, linked to serious skin reactions with several sodium-channel blockers (carbamazepine, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine), each with its own page and guideline. Studies of drug resistance have looked at transporters that pump medicines out of the brain (ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2) and at channel genes such as SCN1A, with mixed results.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Antiepileptics. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (14 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

HLA-B HLA-B*15:02: Level 2A · replicated. Toxicity: Maculopapular Exanthema, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 4.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Level 3. Dosage, Efficacy: Epilepsy. 4.

ABCB1 rs3789243: Level 3. Efficacy: Epilepsy. 2.

HLA-B HLA-B*58:01: Level 3. Toxicity: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 1.

Metabolism (1 finding)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

rs16935279: Genotypes CC + CT are associated with decreased metabolism of antiepileptics in people with Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Disorders as compared to genotype TT.

Response (90 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Genotype AA is associated with increased clinical benefit to antiepileptics in children with Epilepsy as compared to genotypes AG + GG.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Genotype AG is associated with increased resistance to antiepileptics in people with Epilepsy as compared to genotype GG.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Genotype AA is associated with increased resistance to antiepileptics in people with Epilepsy as compared to genotype GG.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotype AA is associated with increased clinical benefit to antiepileptics in children with Epilepsy as compared to genotypes AC + CC.

Other findings (3 findings)

Studies that do not fall into the groups above.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Allele G is not associated with response to antiepileptics in people with Epilepsy as compared to allele A.

ABCB1 rs1128503: Allele G is not associated with response to antiepileptics in people with Epilepsy as compared to allele A.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Allele C is not associated with response to antiepileptics in people with Epilepsy as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Cerebyx (Anticonvulsants)

Depakote (Anticonvulsants)

Dilantin (Anticonvulsants)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

Back to Medications

Content updated September 2026.

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