ethosuximide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “ethosuximide” mean?
A specific antiepileptic drug.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific antiepileptic drug.
A succinimide-class anticonvulsant medication used primarily to treat absence seizures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences in usage; the term is identical in both dialects.
Connotations
Purely clinical, with no cultural or regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside neurology, pharmacology, and clinical practice.
Grammar
How to Use “ethosuximide” in a Sentence
The neurologist prescribed ethosuximide for the child's seizures.The patient was started on ethosuximide.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and pharmacological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in neurology and pharmacology for a specific medication.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ethosuximide”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ethosuximide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ethosuximide”
- Misspelling (e.g., ethosuxamide, ethosuximide).
- Mispronouncing the 'x' as /gz/ instead of /ks/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is specific for treating absence seizures and is generally not effective for other seizure types like tonic-clonic seizures.
No, ethosuximide is a prescription-only medication due to its potent effects and need for medical supervision.
The most common brand name is Zarontin.
Yes, potential side effects can include gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and, less commonly, blood disorders or behavioural changes.
A specific antiepileptic drug.
Ethosuximide is usually technical/medical in register.
Ethosuximide: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛθəʊˈsʌksɪmaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛθoʊˈsʌksɪmaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ETHOS' of treatment + 'SUX' (like 'sucks' away seizures) + 'IMIDE' (chemical suffix).
Conceptual Metaphor
A KEY that fits a specific lock (T-type calcium channels in the brain) to prevent absence seizures.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary therapeutic use of ethosuximide?