Introduction

• Nature and Origin:

  • Bromide is an inorganic ion similar to chloride.
  • Naturally present in the environment, especially in seawater (approximately 65 mg/L).
  • Found in significant amounts in human blood due to seafood consumption.

• Historical Uses:

  • Widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries as sedatives and for headaches.
  • Lithium bromide used for bipolar disorder treatment.
  • Current uses include low-concentration antiseptic agents in swimming pools.

• Relevance in Epilepsy:

  • Potassium bromide (KBr) was the first “modern” anticonvulsant.
  • Introduced in 1857 by Sir Charles Locock for hysterical (catamenial) epilepsy.
  • Remained the primary anticonvulsant until the discovery of phenobarbital in 1912.