Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Nervous System: Unit IV > Anti-Seizure Medications > Flashcards

Anti-Seizure Medications Flashcards

1
Q

Characteristics/types of partial seizures

A
  • Simple partial – 10%
    • Key feature is preservation of consciousness
    • Usually of cortical origin in a restricted region
  • Complex partial – 35%
    • Loss of or impaired consciousness
    • Often psychomotor with involvement of limbic regions
  • Secondary generalized
    • Loss of consciousness; includes other areas/muscle groups
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Characteristics of tonic-clonic seizures

A
  • Tonic-clonic (grand mal) – 30%
  • Presentation: tonic phase (rigid extension of trunk and limbs) + clonic phase (rhythmic contraction of arms and legs), loss of postural control, LOC, abnormal behavior, confusion
  • Mechanism: Initiation occurs locally with loss of GABA inhibitory tone; propagation due to decreased GABA tone over a large area / increased response to glutamate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Characteristics of absence seizures

A
  • Absence (Petit mal) – 10%
  • Presentation: usually begin in childhood and cease by age 20; normal muscle tone, impaired consciousness with staring spells
  • Mechanism: Oscillatory stimulation of thalamic-cortical circuitry with inappropriate activation of low-threshold _T-type Ca2+ channels _
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

General MOA of anti-seizure drugs

A
  • elevating seizure threshold = membrane stabilization
  • decrease T-type Ca2+ channel currents
  • enhancement of GABA action
  • limiting propogation (reduced synaptic transmission)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Pathophysiology of seizures (opportunities for pharmacotherapeutic intervention)

A
  • Traceable to unstable neuronal membrane (focal epileptogenesis ==> initiation).
  • Paroxysmal discharges that can recruit and synchronize a large population of cortical neurons or neurons in thalamic region.
  • Enhancement of excitatory neurotransmitters (primarily glutamate) OR
  • deficiency of inhibitory neurotransmitters (primarily GABA) ==> propagation of abnormal activity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Antiepileptic drugs used in Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

A
  • Valproate
  • Lamotrigine
  • Levetiracetam
  • alternative: phenytoin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Antiepileptic drugs used in partial seizures (including secondarily general)

A
  • Carbamazepine (or Oxcarazepine)
  • Lamotrigine
  • Levetiracetam
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Antiepileptic drugs used in absence seizures

A
  • Ethosuximide
  • Valproate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Antiepileptic drugs used in atypical absence, myoclonic, atonic seizures

A
  • Valproate
  • Lamotrigine
  • Levetiracetam
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Characteristics/examples of drugs that inhibit sodium channel [VSSC] fxn

A
  • use-dependent blockade of excited cells via binding of inactivated state to prolong refactoriness
  • Phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and topiramate block voltage dependent sodium channels and reduce repetitive firing, thus better at controlling tonic-clonic seizures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Example of drug that decreases T-type currents

A
  • ethosuximide
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Examples of drugs that enhance GABA action

A
  • Benzodiazepines and phenobarbital
  • Vigabatrin [Sabril] inhibits inactivation of GABA by GABA-transaminase
  • Tiagabine [Gabatril] blocks the reuptake of GABA at the synapse
  • Gabapentin alters GABA neurochemistry (metabolism, release, or reuptake) increasing GABA levels in brain.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Drugs used in status epilepticus

A
  • diazepam
  • lorazepam
  • midazolam
  • Treatment
    • Initial therapy = IV Lorazepam until seizures stop, then phenytoin
    • If seizures persist, IV phenobarbital, then pentobarbital until seizures stop
    • If seizures persist, then pentobarbital or propofol with pressor support
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Definition of status epilepticus

A

A state of recurrent, major motor seizures between which the patient does not regain consciousness; death occurs in 5-20% of untreated cases from respiratory arrest or circulatory collapse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Characteristics of Carbamazepine

A

Mechanism

Suppresses repetitive action potential firing by blocking Na2+ channels

Use

Drug of choice for partial seizures; also useful in tonic-clonic seizures
May make absence or myoclonic seizures worse

Side effects

CYP450 inducer; clearance can increase 2-fold in the first month of treatment due to self-induction of metabolism
Dose-related: Diplopia, Ataxia, nausea/vomiting, drowsiness, hyponatremia
Rare: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome – risk associated with HLA-B1502 allele and Asian ancestry, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Characteristics of Phenytoin

A

Mechanism

Blocks Na+ channels, inhibits generation of repetitive action potentials in epileptogenesis focus

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability varies between manufacturers
Food enhances absorption and reduces GI upset

Adverse Reactions

Strong inducer of CYP450 enzyme system
Zero-order kinetics – at high therapeutic range, maximum metabolic capacity is saturated and small dose changes can result in toxicity
Dose-related: Nystagmus, ataxia, sedation, rash, gingival hyperplasia
Overdose: Nystagmus, ataxia, diminished mental capacity, death from respiratory and circulatory depression

Uses

NOT first line due to side effects and DDIs
However, one of the most effective drugs against partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures

17
Q

Characteristics of Levetiracetam

A

Mechanism

Binds to and disrupts synaptic vesicle protein; some Ca2+ channel effects

Adverse Reactions

NO P450 drug interactions
Dose-related effects are generally mild: Fatigue, somnolence, dizziness

Uses

First line drug for generalized tonic-clonic

18
Q

Characteristics of Lamotrigine

A

Mechanism

Broad spectrum, mechanism unclear

Side effects

Dizziness, ataxia, diplopia, sedation; similar to phenytoin but lower rate of occurrence
DDIs – levels increased by valproate, decreased by estrogens in OC or hormone replacement therapy

Uses

Monotherapy of partial or generalized seizures; as effective as carbamazepine and phenytoin AND better tolerated

Prevention of mania in bipolar disorder

19
Q

Characteristics of ethosuximide

A

Mechanism

Inhibition of T-Type Ca2+ current that generates the rhythmical cortical discharge of absence seizures; suppresses brain activity associated with lapses of consciousness common in absence seizures

Adverse Effects

Dose related: GI upset, headache, dizziness

Uses

Drug of choice in absence (petit mal) seizures

20
Q

Characteristics of Valproic Acid

A

Mechanism

GABA potentiation via inhibition of GABA-transaminase; reduces activity of T-type Ca2+ channels

Adverse Effects

Inhibits metabolism of phenytoin, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, ethosuximide
Dose-related: GI complaints, weight gain
Rare: Hepatotoxicity, contraindicated in pregnancy

Uses

First line treatment of generalized, tonic-clonic seizures
Effective against absence seizures but utility is limited by hepatotoxicity

21
Q

Characteristics of Phenobarbitol

A

Mechanism

Suppresses firing and spread from abnormal foci by enhancing GABA inhibition and antagonizing glutamate excitation

Adverse Reactions

Classic CYP450 inducer ==> DDIs
Dose-related: Ataxia, nystagmus, rash, sedative effects; sedation limits use
Contraindicated in pregnancy

Uses

Adjunctive treatment of partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Used for neonatal status epilepticus

22
Q

Characteristics of Gabapentin

A

Mechanism

Binds to voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, decreasing synaptic release of glutamate

Pharmacokinetics

GI absorption is saturable ==> little risk of OD

Adverse Effects

Dose-dependent: sedation, ataxia, dizziness
Few/no DDIs

Uses

Treatment-resistant epilepsy

23
Q

Characteristics of benzodiazepines

A

Mechanism

Enhance GABA Cl- influx to raise AP threshold, suppress seizure focus, and strengthen surrounding inhibition

Agents

Clonazepam (Klonipin)

Inhibits T-type Ca2_ channels in thalamocortical circuits
Effective against absence seizures
Risk of sedation (>50%)

Diazepam (Valium)

Drug of choice for status epilepticus, given IV; also used as adjunctive therapy in atonic and absence seizures and infantile spasms
Tolerance develops over a few months

24
Q

Antiepileptics in pregnancy

A
  • valproate and phenobarbital = higher risk for fetal malformations
  • newer agents = levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and gabapentin have lower rates
  • monotherapy preferred to decrease fetal exposure
  • may need to adjust dosage, esp. for lamotrigine

Nervous System: Unit IV (26 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions