Antiepileptic therapy for Absence Seizures

Question 1

Absence Seizures are characterized by …

(“Seize the day”)

Answer 1

-type of generalized seizure

-sudden momentary lapse in awareness accompanied by staring , blinking , clonic jerks
(“inattentive students”)

-absence seizures manifest as 3 Hz spike wave complexes on EEG
(“3 spikes” sign on wall”)

Question 2

what are the drugs used for treatment of Absence Seizures

Answer 2

Ethosuximide
(modes of persuation:”ETHOS”)

Valproate
(“farm festiVAL”)

Lamotrigine
(“Llama outside the class”)

Question 3

Ethosuximide

(“ETHOS”)

Answer 3

-useful in treatment of Absence seizures
(teacher holding “absences” clip board)

-Blocks voltage gated T-type Ca+2 channels in the thalamus
(closed Calci-YUM chocolate milk drink next to T thermos”)

-can cause GI distress ( nausea , vomiting)
(“kid gets punched in stomach by bitch-ass bully”)

-ethosuximide may cause lethargy and fatigue

Question 4

Valproate

(“farm fesiVAL”)

Answer 4

-valproate is effective against absence seizures

Question 5

Lamotrigine

(“Llama” outside of class)

Answer 5

-Lamotrigine is effective against absence seizures