Stiripentol is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy. It is unrelated to other anticonvulsants and belongs to the group of aromatic allylic alcohols. As with most anticonvulsants, the precise mechanism is unknown. It has been shown to have anticonvulsant effects on its own. It increases GABA transmission. At clinically relevant concentrations, STP enhances central GABA transmission through a barbiturate-like effect, since it increases the duration of opening of GABA-A receptors channels in hippocampal slices. It has also been shown that STP may increase the GABA levels in brain tissues and by interfering with its uptake and its metabolism. It also improves the effectiveness of many other anticonvulsants, possibly due to it inhibiting certain enzymes. This slows the drug's metabolism, increasing blood plasma levels.
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