Seizure Medications

Question 1

What are the 2 major categories of seizure medications?

Answer 1

1. Antiepileptics
2. Benzodiazepines

Question 2

What are the Antiepileptic Medications you should know?
(hint: hint: Carol Licked Lucy’s Pineapple Too Voraciously)

Answer 2

1. Carbamazepine
2. Lamotrigine
3. Levetiracetam
4. Phenytoin
5. Topiramate
6. Valproic Acid

Question 3

Common uses of Antiepileptics

Answer 3

used for different kinds of seizures

Question 4

Which anitiepileptics also treat bipolar disorder?

Answer 4

1. Valproic Acid
2. Lamotrigine
3. Carbamazepine

Question 5

What is the Antiepileptic Mechanism of Action?

Answer 5

they slow down the central nervous system

Question 6

What are all the High Yield Concepts of Antiepileptic Medications?

Answer 6

1. CNS Depression
2. Drug Interactions
3. Teratogenic
4. Phenytoin side adverse effects
5. Carbamazepine adverse effects
6. Valproic Acid adverse effects
7. Lamotrigine adverse effects
8. Levetiracetam

Question 7

CNS Depression- HYC

Answer 7

-the slowing down of the CNS can cause sedation, ataxia, double vision, and cognitive impairment
-effects similar to alcohol & other CNS depressants

Question 8

Drug Interactions- HYC

Answer 8

-antiepileptics don’t play nicely w/ other medications
-lots of cytochrome P450 interactions

Question 9

Phenytoin & carbamazepine can decrease the effects of what?

Answer 9

-warfarin (common blood thinner)
-oral contraceptives (deactivates birth control)

Question 10

Teratogenic-HYC

Answer 10

can cause birth defects

Question 11

Phenytoin Adverse Effects

Answer 11

-has narrow therapeutic index
- (gingival hyperplasia) enlargement of gums
-hirsutism (facial hair growth)
-Interferes w/ Vitamin D and Vitamin K levels

Question 12

What is therapeutic range of phenytoin?

Answer 12

Between 10 and 20

Question 13

How can clients avoid gingival hyperplasia when taking Phenytoin?

Answer 13

by practicing good dental hygiene

Question 14

What is Vitamin D and Vitamin K important for?

Answer 14

-Vitamin D is important for bone health
Vitamin K plays a role in blood clots

Question 15

Carbamazepine adverse effects

Answer 15

• can cause bone marrow suppression
  -can decrease sodium levels

Question 16

what does bone marrow suppression cause?

Answer 16

• decreased RBCs- makes you fatigued/dizzy
• decreased WBCs- makes you sick
• decreased platelets- makes you bleed and bruise

Question 17

What things you should look out for when a client is taking carbamazepine?

Answer 17

-Look out for signs of infection and bleeding
-Monitor sodium levels

Question 18

Valproic Acid Adverse Effects

Answer 18

• weight gain
  -hair loss (alopecia)
  -toxic to liver
  Think Homer Simpson

Question 19

Lamotrigine adverse effects

Answer 19

-Steven- Johnson’s Syndrome

Question 20

How should providers give Lamotrigine to patients?

Answer 20

Start low and go slow

Question 21

What should you teach clients to report when taking Lamotrigine?

Answer 21

any new rashes

Question 22

Why is Levetiracetam a commonly prescribed anti epileptic?

Answer 22

-much better tolerated
-very little CNS depression
-wider therapeutic index
-doesn’t interact with many medications