Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Pharmacology > Anticonvulsants > Flashcards

Anticonvulsants Flashcards

1
Q

What is epilepsy

A

its a chronic brain disorder characterised by recurrent (>_ 2 unprovoked seizures)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Characteristics of epilepsy

A

Abnormal electrical discharges
loss of consciousness
abnormal movements
odd behavior
distorted perceptions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What determines the symptoms of epilepsy

A

the origin of the abnormal firing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Aetiology of epilepsy

A

often idiopathic but various brain disorders; malformations, strokes and tremors can cause symptomatic epilepsy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where do epileptic seizures originate from

A

they originate in a group of neurons (the epileptogen focus) which is hyperexcitable and discharges periodically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a generalised seizure

A

aberrant/unusual electrical discharge diffusely involves the entire cortex of both hemispheres from the onset, consciousness is usually lost

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Causes of generalised seizures

A

from metabolic disorders
sometimes genetic disorders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Generalised seizures include

A

AMAIT
infantile spasm
absence seizures
tonic-clonic seizures
atonic seizures
myoclonic seizures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a tonic-clonic seizure

A

seizure that causes loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Another name for tonic-clonic seizures

A

Grand mal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is an absence seizure

A

its a type of seizure that causes brief, sudden lapses in attention.
More common in children than in adults

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a myoclonic seizure

A

type of seizure that causes quick, uncontrollable muscle movement with no change in the level of awareness or consciousness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is an atonic seizure

A

a type of seizure that causes sudden loss of muscle strength.
Person may not loose consciousness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define febrile convulsions

A

a fit that can happen when a child has a fever

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are focal(partial) seizures

A

caused by excess neuronal discharge that occurs in one cerebral cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Focal seizures are results from

A

structural abnormalities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Effect of focal seizures on consciousness

A

may be simple (no impairement of consciousness) or complex (decr. but not complete loss of consciousness)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Can a generalised seizure occur after a focal seizure

A

Yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How to know if one is about to have a focal seizure

A

its preceded by an aura- may consist of sensory, autonomic or psychic sensations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How long do focal seizures last

A

1-2 mins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does status epilepticus involves

A

Either of the following:
1. tocic-clonic seizure lasting >5-10mins
2. >_ 2 seizures between which patients do not fully regain consciousness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does abrupt withdrawal of anticonvulsants cause

A

Status Epilepticus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Prophylactic drugs for Grand mal

A

Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Phenobarbitone
Valproic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Prophylactic drugs for Petit mal in children

A

Ethosuximide
Clonazepam
Valproic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Prophylactic drugs for myoclonic and atonic seizures in children
Valproic acid
26
Prophylactic drugs to avoid in myoclonic and mixed seizures
Carbamazepine as it may complicate seizures
27
Prophylactic drugs for Status epilepticus
LD PP MC Diazepam Clonazepam Phenytoin Phenobarbitone Lorazepam Midazolam
28
Prophylactic drugs for Febrile Convulsions
Paracetamol Diazepam Clonazepam Phenytoin Phenobarbitone
29
Na channel blockers are
PVT LC Phenytoin Valproic acid Topiramite Lamotrigine Carbamazepine
30
HV dependents Ca channel blockers are
LT Lamotrigine Topiramate
31
T-type Ca Channel blockers are
Valproic acid *Ethosuximide
32
GABA Transaminase blockers are
Vigabatrin Valproic acid
33
MOA of Phenytoin
blocks voltage gated Na channels *is a CYP450 inducer
34
I of Phenytoin
focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (all forms except absence) Status Epilepticus
35
Dosage of Phenytoin
200-600mg daily MAX: 400 mg nocte
36
DI of Phenytoin
Is a CYP450 inducer= exhibits zero-order kinetics
37
AE of Phenytoin
NV Headaches Disorientation megoblastic anaemia gingival hyperplasia hirsutism loss of bone density; Idiosyncratic rash Exfoliative dermatitis
38
Incr. dose of Phenytoin cause
Nystagmus Ataxia lethargy
39
MOA of Carbamazepine
Blocks NA channels--> inhibits generation of repetitive APs in epileptic focus and prevents their spread
40
I of Carbamazepine
1st line monotherapy for generalised tonic-clonic and partial (focal) seizures Trigeminal neuroglia Bipolar disorder
41
Dosage of Carbamazepine
200mg po bd for 2/52 then 300 mg MAX: 900mg bd
42
DI of Carbamazepine
is a CYP450 Inducer--> incr. toxicity of MAOIs (tranylcypromine) by unknown mechanism; discontinuse MAOI use 14days prior to starting Carbamazepine
43
AE of Carbamazepine
Sedation Ataxia dizziness NV rashes including SJS Jaundice Dry mouth aplastic anaemia Leukopenia Hyponatraemia (esp. in elderly)
44
MOA of Lamotrigine
Blocks Na channels and HV dependent Ca channels
45
I of Lamotrigine
focal seizures generalized seizures absence seizures Bipolar disorder Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
46
Dosage of Lamotrigine
slow-up titration of dose essential to minimse risk of serious and life-threatening skin rxns (SJS)
47
AE of Lamotrigine
Blurred vision Ataxia Dizzines Rash
48
MOA of Topiramate
Block voltage gated Na channels (AMPA) Reduce HV Ca currents Target Glutamate (NMDA) sites: block
49
Indications for Topiramate
Partial (focal) seizures Primary generalised seizures Migraine headache Obesity
50
AE of Topiramate
Drowsiness Fatigue weight loss nervousness renal stones glaucoma hyperthermia parasthesia (pins and needles)
51
MOA of Gabapentin
is a GABA analogue:has no effect on GABA Rs
52
Indications for Gabapentin
focal seizures other: post-herpetic neuralgia
53
Dosage of Gabapentin
dose-dependent in renal disease is required
54
Gabapentin dose in elderly
well-tolerated by elderly population with partial seizures with fewer DIs
55
AE of Gabapentin
Fatigue Ataxia Dizziness Drowsiness
56
MOA of Vigabatrin
irreversibly inhibits GABA-T enzyme (enzyme responsible for GABA metabolism)
57
Indications of Vigabatrin
Infantile spasms (west syndrome)
58
AE of Vigabatrin
Dizziness drowsiness weight gain mental confusion psychosis
59
MOA of Pregabalin
binds to auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated Ca channels
60
Indications of Pregabalin
Focal-onset seizures Other: diabetic peripheral neuropathy post-herpetic neuralgia fibromyalgia
61
Dosage of Pregabalin
dosage adjustments needed in renal disease
62
AE of Pregabalin
Weight gain peripheral oedema Impaired memory
63
MOA of Levetiracetam
Has high affinity for SV2A protein (synaptic vesicle protein) and increases/enhances its activity
64
Indications of Levetiracetam
Focal seizures myoclonic generalised tonic-clonic seizures other: perioperative neurosurgery
65
AE of Levetiracetam
Mood alterations Ataxia dizziness agitation somnolence
66
Indications of Phenobarbitone
all forms of epilepsy except absence seizures
67
Dosage of Phenobarbitone
60-180 mg/day po in 1-2 divided doses
68
DI of Phenobarbitone
Is a hepatic enzyme inducer--> incr. metabolism of anti-epileptic drugs, estrogens and progesterone, ARV agents, alcohol or other CNS depressants- concomitant use leads to additive CNS depressants
69
AE of Phenobarbitone
Sedation Ataxia Nystagmus Paradoxical stimulation Behavioral and learning problems in children megoblastic anaemia idiosyncratic rash
70
MOA of Ethosuximide
inhibits T-type Ca channels--> reuced propagation of abnormal electrical activity in brain
71
Indications of Ethosuximide
1st line monotherapy in typical absence seizures
72
AE of Ethosuximide
NV headache sedation ataxia dizziness euphoria GIT disturbances (epigastric pain) skin rashes- SJS bone marrow suppression
73
BDZs used in seizures
CCD Clonazepam Clobazam Diazepam
74
MOA of BDZs
bind to GABA inhibitory receptors to reduce firing rate
75
Indications for BDZs
reserved for emergencies of seizure attacks
76
Which BDZs are used for Adjunctive therapy for particular types of seizures
Clonazepam and Clobazam
77
Administration of Diazepam in kids
Rectal admin.
78
When is Diazepam also used
to avoid/interrupt prolonged generalised tonic-clonic seizures
79
MOA of Valproic acid
Blocks voltage gated Na channels Blocks T-type Ca channels Blocks GABA-T
80
Indications of Valproic acid
Focal Primary generalised seizures all forms of epilepsy 1st choice drug for patients on ART
81
Dosage of Valproic acid
500mg po bd MAX: 2500mg daily
82
DI of Valproic acid
induces Hepatic enzymes
83
AE of Valproic acid
Nausea anaroxia/incr. appetite ataxia sedation hepatotoxicity alopecia thrombocytopenia tetragenicity

Pharmacology (50 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions