Antiepileptic Drugs Flashcards
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Functional Classification
Anticonvulsant
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Mechanism of Action
Exact mechanism unknown; appears to decrease polysynaptic responses and block posttetanic potentiation
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Uses
Tonic-Clonic, complex-partial, mixed seizures; trigeminal neuralgia; bipolar disorder
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Contraindications
Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity to carBAMazepine or tricyclics, AV or bundle branch block
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Side Effects
CNS: Drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, confusion, fatigue, PARALYSIS, headache, hallucinations, WORSENING OF SEIZURES, speech disturbance, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/BEHAVIORS
CV: HYPERTENSION, CHF, DYSRHYTHMIAS, AV BLOCK, hypotension, aggravation of cardiac artery disease
EENT: tinnitus, dry mouth, blurred vision, diplopia, nystagmus, conjunctivitis
ENDO: SIADH (geriatric patients)
GI: Nausea, Constipation, Diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, stomatitis, glossitis, increased hepatic enzymes, HEPATITIS, HEPATIC PORPHYRIA
GU: frequency, retention, albuminuria, glycosuria, impotence, increased BUN, RENAL FAILURE
HEMA: THROMBOCYTOPENIA, LEUKOPENIA, AGRANULOCYTOSIS, LEUKOCYTOSIS, APLASTIC ANEMIA, EOSINOPHILIA, increased PT
INTEG: Rash, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME, urticaria, photosensitivity, TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS
RESP: pulmonary hypersensitivity (fever, dyspnea, pneumonitis)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- SEIZURES: character, location, duration, intensity, frequency, presence of aura
- TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: facial pain including location, during, intensity, character, activity that stimulates pain
- Renal studies; urinalysis, BUN, urine creatinine q3mo
- BONE MARROW DEPRESSION: blood studies: RBC, Hct, Hgb, reticulocyte counts every wk for 4 wk then q3-6mo if on long-term therapy; if myelosuppression occurs, product should be discontinued; blood dyscrasias: fever, sore throat, bruising, rash, jaundice
- Hepatic studies: ALT, AST, bilirubin
- Product levels during initial treatment or when changing dose; should remain at 4-12mcg/ml; anorexia may indicate increased blood levels
- Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, behavioral changes, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/BEHAVIORS; if mental status changes, notify prescriber
- Eye problems: need for ophthalmic examinations before, during, after treatment (slit lamp, funduscopy, tonometry)
- Allergic reaction: purpura, red, raised rash; if these occur, product should be discontinued
- Toxicity: bone marrow depression, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, diploia, CV collapse, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
PERFORM/PROVIDE
-Hard candy, gum, frequent rinsing for dry mouth
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Overdose Treatment
Lavage, VS
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Functionional Classification
Anticonvulsant
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism unknown; may increase seizure threshold; structurally similar to GABA; gabapentin binding sites in neocortex, hippocampus
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Uses
Adjunct treatment of partial seizures, with/without generalization in patients >12yr; adjunct for partial seizures in children 3-12 yr, postherpetic neuralgia, primary restless leg syndrome in adults
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Side Effects
CNS: Drowsiness, Confusion, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, somnolence, ataxia, amnesia, abnormal thinking, unsteady gait, Depression; children 3-12 yr old, emotional lability, aggression, thought disorder, hyperkinesia, hostility, SEIZURES, SUICIDAL IDEATION
CV: vasodilation, peripheral edema, hypotension
EENT: dry mouth, blurred vision, Diplopia, nystagmus
GI: constipation, increased appetite, dental abnormalities, nausea, vomiting
GU: impotence, bleeding, UTI
HEMA: LEUKOPENIA, decreased WBC
INTEG: pruritus, abrasion, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME
MS: myalgia
RESP: Rhinitis, pharyngitis, cough
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Nursing Considerations
ASSESS:
- SEIZURES: aura, location, duration, activity at onset
- PAIN: location, duration, characteristics if using for chronic pain, migraine
- mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, behavioral changes, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/BEHAVIORS; if mental status changes, notify prescriber
- eye problems, need for ophthalmic exam before, during, after treatment (slit lamp, funduscopy, tonometry)
- WBC, gabapentin level (therapeutic 5.9-21mcg/ml, toxic >85mcg/ml
PERFORM/PROVIDE
- SEIZURE PRECAUTIONS: padded side rails; move objects that may harm patient
- Increased fluids, bulk in diet for constipation
Phenobarbital
functional classification
Anticonvulsant
Phenobarbital
Chemical Classification
Barbiturate
Phenobarbital
Mechanism of Action
Decreases impulse transmission; increases seizure threshold at cerebral cortex level
Phenobarbital
Uses
All forms of epilepsy, status epilepticus, febrile seizures in children, sedation, insomnia
Phenobarbital
Contraindication
Pregnancy (D), breastfeeding, geriatric patients, hypersensitivity to barbiturates, porphyria, hepatic/respiratory disease, nephritis, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus
Phenobarbital
Side Effects
CNS: paradoxic excitement (geriatric patients), drowsiness, lethargy, hangover headache, flushing, hallucinations, COMA
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
HEMA: AGRANULOCYTOSIS, MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, THROMBOPHLEBITIS
INTEG: rash, urticaria, STEVEN-JOHNSON SYNDROME, ANGIOEDEMA, local pain, swelling, necrosis, scaling eczema