Anticonvulsants

Question 1

Anticonvulsant drugs

Answer 1

Anit-epileptic drugs, control seizures, suppress neuron firing and slows brain impulses

Question 2

Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproic acid are highly —- bound

Answer 2

Protein bound, liver failure results in a lot more free drug

Question 3

Why is total and free analysis indicated with anticonvulsants

Answer 3

Many are highly protein bound

Question 4

Phenobarbital

Answer 4

CNS depressant, slow acting, Trough levels are usually obtained and TDM is only done if toxicity is suspected, low therapeutic index

Question 5

Toxic effects of phenobarbital

Answer 5

CNS depression, Coma

Question 6

Primodone (Mysoline)

Answer 6

inactive “pro form” of phenobarbital, used when steady state needs to be reached quickly. Low therapeutic index. Both primodone and phenobarbital are measured.

Question 7

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Answer 7

High protein binding, low therapeutic index

Question 8

Phenytoin toxic effects

Answer 8

Seizures

Question 9

Valproic Acid (Depakene)

Answer 9

GI absorption is rapid and complete, low therapeutic index

Question 10

Toxic effects of Valproic acid

Answer 10

Seizure, Cardiac arrest

Question 11

Carbemazepine

Answer 11

Not usually prescribed unless patient is unresponsive to other drugs, low therapeutic index

Question 12

Toxic effects of Carbmazepine

Answer 12

Life-threatening allergic reaction (Stevens Johnson syndrome)