Which pharmacologic class is used to prevent seizures resulting from head injuries?

• A. Anticoagulants
• B. Sedatives
• C. Anticonvulsants (Class)
• D. Antidepressants

Answer: (C)

Preventing seizures after head injury is achieved with anticonvulsants because these drugs reduce neuronal excitability and stabilize brain activity, lowering the chance that injury-related irritation triggers an electrical storm in the brain. They work by mechanisms like stabilizing sodium channels, enhancing inhibitory GABA signaling, or reducing excitatory neurotransmission, which helps prevent the spread of abnormal activity that leads to seizures. In the acute setting, anticonvulsants are used for a short period to prevent early post-traumatic seizures, especially in more severe injuries. Other drug classes listed—anticoagulants, sedatives, and antidepressants—do not provide this protective effect against seizures after head injury.