Seizure medications Flashcards
(19 cards)
List of anti-epileptic medications used in hospitals
Adverse effects of diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam
Affects the heart and lungs; arrhythmias, hypotension, mild respiratory depression.
Also; cns depression and drug dependency.
Lorazepam
IV only. Indicated for status epilepticus.
MOA of diazepam, lorazepam and midazolam
Facilitate GABA transmission that counteracts the excessive excitatory neurotransmission. (i.e. neural inhibiton)
“enhances GABA-mediated chloride flux”
Contraindications of diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam
- acute angle-closure glaucoma
- hypersensitivity
- severe liver disease
Which drugs (3) could you use for partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Valproic acid
(these are the first line drugs)
What do these drugs have in common?
carbamazepine
lamotrigine
phenytoin
topiramate
Delay action potential by prolonging the time the sodium channel’s gate remains closed.
What do valproate and ethosuximide have in common?
They both block T-type CALCIUM channels.
Both are used to treat absence seizures (ethosuximide is used for children)
Which anticonvulsant drug is used to treat trigeminal neuralgia? (cranial nerve V)
carbamazepine
Gabapentin
MOA
uses
Gabapentin is a GABA analogue that increases the releaese of GABA from centrol neurons.
Effective when used to combination with other drugs to treat all forms of partial seizures.
What is an effective drug for treating partial seizures in adults and children?
Lamotrigine
Lamotrigine is used for partial seizures; what else is it indicated for?
generalized tonic-clonic seizures
atonic
absence seizures
LGS
+ manic phase of bipolar disorder
What are the primary side effects of lamotrigine?
cerebellar dysfunction
drowiness
rash - can progress to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (esp. if lamotrigine is combined with valproate)
What is topiramate indicated for?
partial seizures; as an adjunct treatment.
Studies showed a 50% reduction in seizure frequency when topiramate is added to treatment regimen.
** preg cat D due to increased risk of cleft palate in babies **
What is the big risk of status epilepticus?
severe brain damage due to prolonged hypoxia
Why is fosphenytoin given for status epilepticus?
IV. Gives a longer duration of seizure control than is provided by initial benzodiazepine (diazepam or lorazepam)
Which are the two adjunct medications for partial seizures?
lamotrigine
topiramate
Absence seizures - which drug
(a) Children
(b) adults
children - ethosuximide
adults - valproate
What is the drug of choice for generalized myoclonic and atonic seizures?
Valproate
