Anticonvulsants Flashcards
1
Q
Stabalization therapy = stop seizures as quickly as possible
- Can’t give IM
- Enters CNS rapidly
- GABA agonist–> increases neuro inhibition
- Short term use only
- Short half life
- Can develop tolerance, dependance
- Can cause behavior changes, sedation
- Chronic oral dosing in cats can cause hepatotoxicity
A
Diazepam
2
Q
Stabalization therapy = stop seizures as quickly as possible
-Can be given IM
A
Midazolam
3
Q
Barbituate
- Most widely used anticonvulsant in small animals for maintenance therapy
- Controls majority of cases
- GABA agonist
- Good second line drug for seizures unresponsive to diazepam
- Induces cytochrome p450–> enhances metabolism of itself and many other drugs–> reduced circulating levels of drugs
- Can cause sedation, polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria
- Usually subside after a few weeks
- Hepatic toxicity–> lowered seizure threshold
A
Phenobarbitol
4
Q
Most commonly used in maintenance therapy, occasionally for stabalization
- Potassium salts: always use orally, don’t use IV
- Sodium salts: for IV use
- Long half life
- High chloride diet enhances elimination
- Can cause polyphagia, joint stiffness in the rear limbs, coughing(in cats), CNS depression
A
Bromide
5
Q
Stabalization therapy = stop seizures as quickly as possible
- GABA agonist
- Potent
- Can be used as alternative to diazepam in cats
- Elimination by zero order kinetics
A
Clonazepam
6
Q
Anticonvulsant
- Not a GABA agonist: mechanism unclear
- Blocks subunits of calcium channels which are upregulated in highly stimulated nerves–> selectively blocks transmission in these nerves
- Rarely a monotherapy
- Human formulation has xylitol in it
- Renal excretion
A
Gabapentin
7
Q
Anticonvulsant
- Suppresses seizure activity without altering normal neurons
- Binds exclusively in CNS
- Side effects uncommon
- No significant hepatic metabolism
- Short half life: dose up to 3x per day
- Extended release formulations available
A
Levetiracetam
