Anti-Seizure Drugs (ASDs) 1 Flashcards
What percentage of patients with epilepsy can have their seizures controlled with medication?
65-80%
Pharmacotherapy of epilepsy is highly individualized and requires titration of the dose to optimize
ASD therapy
Many of the new ASDs are only approved for
Adjunct Therapy
ASDs can cause a rash called
Steven Johnsons Syndrome (SJS)/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
Can cause Fetal Abnormalities and birth defects (“Major Congenital Malformations” or MCMs)
ASDs
What are the three mechanisms of action of ASDs?
- ) Modification of ionic conductance
- ) Enhancement of inhibitory transmission
- ) Inhibition of excitatory transmission
ASDs enhance inhibitory transmission (IPSPs) by increasing
GABAergic transmission
ASDs inhibit excitatory transmission (EPSPs) by decreasing
Glutamergic transmission
The ability of Na+ channels to recover from inactivated state is inhibited by ASDs. This prolongs the
Inactivation state of Na+ channels
Neurons undergo depolarization and fire action potentials at high frequencies during
Seizures
Selective inhibition of this pattern of firing should reduce
Seizures
Inhibition of the high-frequency firing is thought to be mediated by reducing the ability of Na+ channels to recover from
Inactivation
Prolonging the inactivation of the Na+ channels results in reducing the ability of neurons to
Fire at high frequencies
Recall that inactivated channels are inactive because they are blocked by the
Inactivation gate
Oldest nonsedative antiseizure drug (1938)
Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
A prodrug of phenytoin designed for parenteral use
Fosphenytoin
What is the major mechanism of action of Phenytoin?
Na+ Channel Inhibiton
Indications: 1) Simple Partial 2) Complex Partial 3) Secondarily Generalized and 4) Primary Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Phenytoin
What are the contraindications for Phenytoin?
May exacerbate myoclonic and absence seizures
Phenytoin is especially contraindicated in
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
The therapeutic dose for most patients is
10-20 ug/mL
Only free, unbound phenytoin molecules can penetrate the bloodbrain barrier and exert
Pharmacological effects
What percentage of Phenytoin is bound to plasma protein?
90%
Conditions such as hypoalbuminemia and uremia can significantly impact plasma levels of
Phenytoin
Phenytoin is eliminated hepatically by conversion to
Inactive Metabolites
At low blood levels, phenytoin metabolism follows
First-order kinetics
At therapeutic range and higher, non-linear relationship of dosage and plasma concentration occurs. This is
Zero order kinetics
Is extensively metabolized in the liver and this process becomes saturated at about the doses needed for therapeutic effect
Saturation Kinetics
Thus, phenytoin at low doses exhibits first-order kinetics, but saturation or zero-order kinetics develop as we reach the
Therapeutic plasma concentration
Phenytoin is 90% bound to plasma proteins (albumin). Increased proportions of free (active) drug are observed in newborn, in patients with
Hypoalbuminemia and in uremic patients
Other protein-binding drugs, including other ASDs (e.g. valproate) can compete for protein binding sites, resulting in increases in
Free Phenytoin
Drugs that induce or inhibit hepatic enzymes can impact phenytoin metabolism and thus impact
Plasma concentrations
Phenytoin itself induces
Hepatic Enzymes
Nystagmus, diplopia, ataxia, drowsiness are common dose-related CNS adverse effects requiring dosage adjustment
Phenytoin
Seen in 20-40% of patients chronically taking phenytoin
Gingival hyperplasia
Phenytoin can cause vitamin D deficiency which may result in
Osteomalacia
A category D (bad) teratogen
Phenytoin
What percentage of Carbamazepine is protein-bound?
75%