Anti seizure meds

Question 0

Barbiturates

Answer 0

• Prototype drug: phenobarbital (Luminal)
• Mechanism of action: changing the action of GABA
• Primary use: controlling seizures
• Adverse effects: dependence, drowsiness, vitamin deficiencies, laryngospasm
• Phenobarbital (Luminal)
• Amobarbital (Amytal)
• Secobarbital (Seconal)
• Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Question 1

Benzodiazepine

Answer 1

Benzodiazepines (binds directly to GABA; suppress neuronal foci)
•Prototype drug: diazepam (Valium)
•Mechanism of action: similar to that of barbiturates but safer
•Primary use: for short-term seizure control
•Adverse effects: drowsiness and dizziness

• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Diazepam (Valium)

Question 2

Hydantoin

Answer 2

• Prototype drug: phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Mechanism of action: to densitize sodium channels
• Primary use: treating all types of epilepsy except absence seizures
• Adverse effects: CNS depression, gingival hyperplasia, skin rash, cardiac dysrhythmias, and hypotension

Question 3

Phenytoin-like drugs

Answer 3

• Prototype drug: Valproic acid (Depakene)
• Mechanism of action: to desensitize sodium channels
• Primary use: for absence seizures
• Adverse effects: limited CNS depression, visual disturbances, ataxia, vertigo, headache
• Additional adverse reactions: gastrointestinal effects, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis