Anti-convulsants Flashcards
What are the two mechanisms of action of anti-convulsants?
Reduce excitation
Promote inhibition
List five goals of epilepsy management
Reduce seizure frequency
Reduce severity
Acceptable side effects
Acceptable costs
Practical
List three situations in which monitoring before starting treatment is appropriate in seizure cases
Known toxic trigger
Long interictal period (>3 months)
Single seizure
What is the first choice drug in epilepsy management for cats and dogs?
Phenobarbitone
When is imepitoin indicated as an anti-epileptic drug?
Dogs without cluster seizures and with long inter-ictal periods
What are the three main side effects of anti-epileptic drugs?
PUPD
Sedation
Ataxia
List four idiosyncratic reactions to phenobarbitone use as an anti-epileptic
Dermatitis
Liver failure
Cytopaenias
Pseudolymphoma
List three situations when you should use a second anti-epileptic drug
Improper seizure control despite appropriate use of first line drug
If increasing the first line drug leads to unacceptable side effects
If reaching the first line drug means reaching a possible toxic blood level
List five steps in the management of acute seizures
Check vital parameters
Protect patient
Try to get IV access
Check blood glucose
Give anticonvulsant
Which three drugs can you use in first line seizure management?
Diazepam
Midazolam
Propofol