Anti-Seizure Drugs- GK Flashcards
What is the difference between epilepsy & seizures? Describe the differences.
difference = duration of symptoms
Epilepsy: chronic, recurrent
Seizures: Finite, resolves
A transient disturbance of cerebral function due to an abnormal paroxysmal neuronal discharge in the brain.
What is this?
Seizure
Which drugs lower seizure threshold?
- theophylline
- alcohol
- high dose phenothiazines (anti-psychotics)
- antidepressants (esp bupropion)
- street drugs
What is the goal of treatment with anti-seizure medication?
- eliminate symptoms (seizures) with minimal side effects
- complete seizure freedom
______-_____% of pts may not be free from seizures and seizure control must be balanced with ___goals
20-35
QOL
When do we initiate therapy?
- no risk factors, normal MRI, normal EEG
- if risk factors present
- pts who have had 2 or more unprovoked seizures
Probability of a second seizure is less than 10% in the first year and approximately 21% by the end of 2 years
This is true for what type of pts?
pts with no risk factors, normal MRI, normal EEG
It is critical to establish an accurate diagnosis of the _________ and ________
seizure type
epilepsy classification
It is estimated that up to ____% of patients with epilepsy are nonadherent to medication.
60
T/F: Monotherapy is preferred for pts with seizures.
TRUE
When should you consider stopping pt on meds?
Factors favoring successful withdrawal of ADS:
- seizure free period of 2-4 years
- complete seizure control within 1 year of onset
- onset of seizures between 2-35y/o
AND
normal neurologic examination and EEG
What are the 3 mechanisms of action of ASD?
- Modifies ionic conductance (Na+, Ca++, K+)
- dimunition of glutamatergic transmission ( dec excitatory)
- Enhancement of GABAergic transmission (inc inhibitory)
Glutamate is a ______ transmission
excitatory
GABA is a ______ transmission
inhibitory
The ultimate effect is to inhibit the local generation of seizure discharges by what 2 mechanisms?
- Reduce ability of neurons to fire action potentials at high rate
- reduce neuronal synchronization
Which drugs diminish glutamate release at the presynaptic cleft?
- Phenytoin
- fosphenytoin
- carbamazepine
- oxcarbazepine
- eslicabazepine acetate
- lamotrigine
- lacosamide
- ethosuximide
- retigabine
- levetiracetam
- brivaracetam
- gabapentin
- gabapentin enacarbil
- pregabalin
- perampanel
- valproate
- felbamate
- adrenocorticotropin
POSSIBLY
- topiramate
- zonisamide
- rufinamide
Which drugs act on the voltage gated Na+ channels at the presynaptic cleft?
- phenytoin
- carbamazepine
- lamotrigine
- lacosamide
POSSIBLY
- topiramate
- zonisamide
- rufinamide
Which drug acts on the voltage gated Ca++ channels (T-type) at the presynaptic cleft?
ethosuximide
Which drug acts on the voltage gated K+ channels at the presynaptic cleft?
Retigabine (ezogabine)
Which drug inhibits the release of glutamate by binding to SV2A?
Levetiracetam
Which drugs inhibit the release of glutamate by binding to the a2S subunit of P/Q type Ca++ channel?
gabapentin, pregabalin
Which drug targets the post-synaptic ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA?
PerAMPAnel
Perampanel
What drugs with a mixed/unknown MOA target the post-synaptic receptors?
- Valproate
- felbamate
- topiramate
- zonisamide
- rufinamide
- adrenocorticotropin
Which drugs enhance GABA inhibition?
- Phenobarbital
- primidone
- benzodiazapines (diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam)
- tiagabine
- vigabatrine
POSSIBLY
- topiramate
- felbamate
- ezogabine
Which drugs enhance GABA by working on the GABAa receptor?
- phenobarbital
- primidone
- benzodiazipines
POSSIBLY
- topiramate
- felbamate
- ezogabine
Which drug enhances GABA by working on (blocking) the GAT-1 GABA transporter?
Tiagabine
Which drug enhances GABA by working on (blocking) GABA transaminase?
Vigabatrin
When GABA interacts at two sites between alpha and beta subunits, what channel does it trigger?
Triggers chloride channel opening
Between what sites do benzos bind at?
between alpha and gamma subunits
When benzos bind at a single site between alpha and gamma subunits, this facilitates the opening of the _____________.
Which benzos specifically?
chloride ion channel
Diazepam, Lorazepam
__________ is a benzo antagonist
flumazenil
Binding sites of benzos are distinct from those of the ________
barbituates
What 3 drugs can treat a newly diagnosed generalized absence?
- ethosuximide
- lamotrigine
- valproic acid
What drugs can be used as alternatives for refractive absence?
- clonazepam
- topiramate
T/F: gabapentin is ineffective for new diagnosed generalized absence
TRUE
Ethosuximide MOA
blocks voltage gated Ca++ channels (T-type)
decreases glutamate
Clinical Application of Ethosuximide
Generalized absence
P-kinetics and interactions of Ethosuximide
long half-life
ADE of Ethosuximide
Headache
Blood dyscrasias
GI distress
HA
Ataxia
Drowsiness
Rash
Chronic: behavior changes
Lamotrigine MOA
Blocks voltage gated Na+ channels
decreases glutamate