Anticonvulsants Flashcards
What are four characteristics of seizures?
Loss of consciousness
Altered muscle tone or movement
Altered sensations
Neurological changes
Define seizures
Periods of altered brain function due to recurrent abnormal electrical impulses
Define convulsions
Seizures characterized by spastic muscle movement and loss of consciousness
Define epilepsy
Recurrent seizures
Define idiopathic epilepsy
Recurring seizures with no identifiable cause
Define grand mal seizure
Spastic muscle contractions involving entire body
What are anticonvulsants?
Drugs used to prevent seizures and decrease chance of spontaneous depolarization spreading in the brain
What are 3 symptoms of anti convulsants!
Ataxia
Drowsiness
Hepatotoxicity
Therapeutic drug monitoring is recomended for what drugs?
Phenobarbital and potassium bromide
Why is phenobarbital the drug of choice for long term seizures?
Because of its long half life and low cost
This anticonvulsant is highly protien bound
Phenobarbital
What form is only allowed to cross capillary membranes when in phenobarbital?
Free form
How is phenobarbital eliminated?
Liver
What group of enzymes does phenobarbital cause to increase there metabolize rate?
Cytochrome p450
What are four drugs that are metabolized by cytochrome p450?
Phenylbutazone, glucocorticoids, estrogen, phenobarbital
What does chloramphenicol do to phenobarbital?
Inhibits the metabolism of phenobarbital by the cytochrome p450 enzymes
What are three side effects of phenobarbital?
Sedation, incoordination, lethargy
What anticonvulsants are commonly used in conjunction with other anticonvulsants or as a single agent?
Potassium bromide
Levetiracetam
Potassium bromide is mainly eliminated by what?
Kidneys
What is potassium bromides half life?
21-24 days
Why should you avoid salty treats and abrupt changes of diet with potassium bromide?
Because the salt may effect plasma concentrations
Potassium is not recommended in what and why?
In us because it may cause eosinophilia bronchospasm
Potassium bromide and phenobarbital can elevate what levels?
Elevate serum lipase concentrations and pancreantitis may be associated
What anticonvulsant requires a loading dose?
Potassium bromide
What anticonvulsant would be good for partial siezures with or without secondary siezures?
Levetiracetam
What anticonvulsant has a 70% reduction in siezure frequency with mild side effects cats?
Levetiracetam
After a short honeymoon period, what two anticonvulsants can cause a tolerance to build?
Liveries team and zonisamide
What are three side effects of zonisamide?
KCS, blood dyscdasiss, crystalliria
What anticonvulsant is metabolized into phenobarbital?
Primidone
What anticonvulsant is a human drug but used to be used for epileptic animals?
Phenytoin
How many times must phenytoin be administered?
Three times a day
How come phenytoin much be given multiple times a day?
Poorly absorbed and rapidly eliminated
The use of what two anticonvulsants to ether can cause hepatotoxicity?
Phynytoin and primidone
What is the anticonvulsant of choice for convulsing animals?
Diazepam
How should you administer diazepam for siezures?
IV
How is diazepam eliminated?
Metabolized by liver
In cats, what route of administration is better for diazepam?
Oral
What is a CNS stimulant?
Doxapram
What does doxapram do?
Stimulates the respiratory center in the brain stem to increase respiration
What is doxapram used for?
Counteract apnea or slow breathing caused by large doses of anesthetics and sedatives
What animals should you watch when giving doxapram?
Animals with siezures
