Seizure Disorder Meds

Question 1

Facts about Seizures?

Answer 1

• Happens when the brain becomes Hyperexcitable.

Question 2

What are the causes of Seizures?

Answer 2

• Hypoxia.
• Head trauma.
• Infection.
• Strokes.
• Tumors.
• Genetic factors.
• Some medications.

Question 3

What is Epilepsy?

Answer 3

• Its two or more seizures that happen a day or more apart.

Question 4

What is the Focus?

Answer 4

• Its the locations where seizure starts.

Question 5

What are the two major types of seizure medications?

Answer 5

• Antiepileptics.
• Benzodiazepines (they also treat Anxiety & Muscle spasms).

Question 6

What are the examples of Benzodiazepines medications?

Answer 6

(They end with “zolam & zepam” )

• Diazepam.
• Lorazepam.
• Clonazepam.
• Alprazolam.

Question 7

What are the examples of Antiepileptic medications?

Answer 7

• Valproic Acid.
• Carbamazepine.
• Lamotrigine.
• Levetiracetam.
• Phenytoin (most mentioned).
• Topiramate.

Question 8

Which of the Antiepileptic medications are also prescribed for Bipolar disorder?

Answer 8

• Valproic Acid.
• Carbamazepine.
• Lamotrigine.

Question 9

How do the Antiepiletic medications work?

Answer 9

• They slow down the CNS
  (They are CNS Depressants)

Question 10

High yield concepts of Antiepileptic Medications?

Answer 10

• CNS Depression - (They should avoid Alcohol).
• Drug interaction - (Cytochrome P450 meds).
• Teratogenic - (causes birth defects).
• Carbamazepine - (causes blood marrow suppression).
• Phenytoin - (narrow therapeutic index, check blood levels before giving this meds).
• Valproic Acid - (causes weight gain, alopecia, Hepatoxicity).
• Lamotrigine - (causes Steven-Johnson syndrom)
• Levetiracetam - (Well tolarated, wide therapeutic index, nor drug interaction).

Question 11

Signs and Symptoms of CNS Depression?

Answer 11

• Sedation.
• Ataxia (Clumpsiness).
• Double vision.
• Cognative impairment.