Anti-Convulsants Flashcards
Causes of Seizures
Genetic/Inherited
Acquired
Drug withdrawal symptoms
Drugs that induce seizures
Convulsion is the physical and clinical manifestation of
Sudden synchronous discharge of cerebral neurons
A normal neuron discharges repetitively at
Low frequency
The Inhibitiory neurotransmitter in neuronal discharge is
GABA
An excitatory neurotransmitter in neuronal discharge is
Glutamate
During epilepsy/seizure or convulsion the regular low frequency is replaced by
Bursts of high frequency discharges followed by periods of inactivity
Types of seizures
Partial seizures
Generalised seizures
Classes of partial seizures
Simple partial seizure
Complex partial seizure
Secondary generalised seizure
Generalised seizures are classified into
Generalised tonic clonic seizures
Tonic seizures
Clonic seizures
Myoclonic seizures
Absence seizures
Mech of Action of Anticonvulsants
Enhancement of GABAergic transmission
Diminution of excitatory transmission
Modification of ionic conductance
Seizures are due to imbalance between
The excitatory neurotransmitter (glutamate) and the inhibitory neurotransmitter (GABA)
Drugs used in partial seizures and generalized tonic clonic seizures
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Valporate
Barbiturates
Phenytoin has a prodrug that is available parenterally called
Fosphenytoin
What is the mechanism of Action of Valproate/Valproic Acid
Inhibits GABA transminase to reduce GABA breakdown
Blocks the Na+ channels, reduce seizure activity
Blocks N-methyl D-aspartate receptors
In Toxicology of Antiseizure drugs, phenytoin causes a teratogenic condition callled
Fetal hydantoin Syndrome
