11.1 Anti Epileptic Drugs Flashcards
What are the two types of partial seizure and what do they relate to?
Simple - conscious - focal area affected
complex (impaired consciousness)
What is a generalised seizure?
Immediate loss of consciousness as whole brain is affected includign reticular system
Tonic clonic or absense seizure
What should patients do after being diagnosed with epilepsy?
Inform the DVLA if they drive
What are the therapeutic targets of anti epileptic drugs?
Inhibit sodium channels
Enhance GABA function
Which anti epileptics act by inhibiting sodium channels?
Carbamezapine
Phenytoin
Lamotrigine
Which anti epileptics act by enhancement of GABA function?
Sodium valproate (also has some sodium channel inhibition)
Benzodiapzepines
Barbiturates
What is first line for every seizure apart from partial?
Sodium Valproate
What is first line for partial seizures?
Carbamezapine
When would you use lamotrigine?
Women of child bearing age
When are benzodiazepine/phenytoin used?
Status epilepticus
What are some general ADRs of antiepileptic drugs?
Dizziness, drowsyness, ataxia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Why do you want to aim to have a patient on only one anti epileptic at a time?
They all interact with eachother
Which anti epileptic induces it’s own metabolism and hence needs a higher dose after repeated use?
Carbamezapine
Name a drug that increases the levels of lamotrigine and one that decreases them
Valproate increases
COCP decreases
How do phenytoin and carbamezipine interact?
Phenytoin displaces carbamezipine from proteins (carbamezipine increases)
Carbamezipine induces CYP which decreases phenytoin levels
