Chapter 22 SEIZURE MEDICATIONS Flashcards
What are the 4 types of drugs used for the treatment of seizures with drug names
-Dibenzazepine (carbamazepine)
-Valproic acid (this is the prototype drug)
-Benzodiazepines (lorazepam)
-Hydantoins (phenytoin)
What should you never do while taking any type of seizure medication
Never stop suddenly even if feeling better as this can create withdrawal seizures
What is an important consideration when administering benzos by IV
monitor closely for respiratory depression and CV collapse (since there is a high chance that the PT could become oversedated)
what are the main things to monitor for a PT taking Benzos
*remember the 5 B’s and a K of Benzos
-Blood dyscrasias (blood diseases watch CBC)
-Bile (watch liver/no alcohol)
-Brain (watch CNS depression and other drugs that could further suppress the CNS)
-BP (can cause hypotension)
-Bonkers (can cause delirium in elderly)
-Kidney function (since it’s excreted by the kidneys)
what is the mechanism of action for Valproic acid
it increases the amount of GABA (GABA suppresses and slows down the brain) so can create CNS depression
What are the drug interactions for valproic acid
-Aspirin (since high doses of Valproic acid can cause bleeding so will have an additive effect)
-Anything that will create additive sedation ie alcohol CNS depressants
what is the treatment for valproic acid overdose
Naloxone
what is the prototype Dibenzazepine
Carbamazepine
what is the mechanism of action for carbamazepine
Inhibits sodium channels to stop the firing of neurons to control seizures
what are contraindications of dibenzazepine
-Pregnancy category D*
-Older adults with history of cardiac disease (because it interferes with the sodium channels which regulate electrical signals of the heart)
what is the prototype hydantoin
Phenytoin
what are considerations for phenytoin
Very narrow margin of safety (have to monitor serum levels regularly
