Antiepileptic Drugs Flashcards
mechanistically what triggers seizures
decrease in inhibitory synaptic activity or an increase in excitatory synaptic activity
what are the two main classes of anti epileptic drugs
- drugs that block voltage gated channel: Na and T type Ca
- drugs that affect synaptic transmission: GABA agonist or glutamate antagonist
what are the drugs that block Na voltage gated channels
PCOLZ PVT (not so sure about PVT)
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Oxcarbazepine
- Lamotrigine
- Zonisamide
- Phenobarbital
- Valproate
- Topiramate
drugs that block T type Ca channels
Ethosuximide
Valproate
drugs that enhance GABA transmission postsynapticallly and their mechanism
Direct action on the GABA receptors
Benzos
Barbiturates
Topiramate
drugs that enhance GABA transmission pre-synaptically and their mechanism
- inhibit reuptake of GABA: Tiagabine
- inhibit degradation of GABA by irreversibly inhibiting GABA aminotransferase: Vigabatrin
drugs that inhibit glutamate neurotransmission pre-synaptically and their mechanism
- decrease glutamate release by blocking pre-synpatic voltage gated Ca channels: Gabapentin and Pregabalin
- binds to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) : Levetiracetam
drugs that inhibit glutamate neurotransmission post synaptically and their mechanism
Phenobarbital and Topiramate: blocks glutamate receptors
drugs used for tonic-clonic seizures (generalized seizure)
COLT PV (Coach J)
Carbamazepine
Oxcarbazepine
Lamotrigine
Topiramate
Phenytoin
Valproate
drug of choice for absence seizures (generalized seizures)
Ethosuximide
Valproate
drug of choice if tonic-clonic seizures occur or emerge during absence seizures or preferred for atypical absence seizures
Valproate
drug of choice for myoclonic seizures (short episode of muscle contractions that may happen for several minutes) and drug used for adjunct therapy
Valproate
-Levetiracetam as adjunct therapy
drug of choice for atonic seizure (sudden loss of postural tone)
usually all drugs are refractory
Valproate and Lamotrigine may be beneficial
treatment of febrile seizures
- if less than 15 minutes, give supportive therapy
- if greater than 15 minutes, use diazepam IV or as rectal solution
first line treatment for status epilepticus (seizures lasting longer than 30 minutes – life threatening)
IV Lorazepam