Antiepileptics

Question 1

older AEDS

Answer 1

Older = higher risk for drugs interactions
Enzyme inducing drugs- SPEED UP METABOLISM (will make your liver make more enzymes to break down drugs)
-will get rid of drugs faster (EX: BP goes up quicker after dose)

Question 2

Carbamazepine

Answer 2

speeds up med breakdown, broken down by same enzyme it speeds up (autoinduction), makes dosing of drug complicated, TEN reactions (skin), Asian heritage must have genetic testing to get this drug*** (can have drug if they do not have the variant)
older AED

Question 3

Valporic Acid

Answer 3

available in many different salt forms, but cannot be substituted for each other (not interchangeable), all turn into valproic acid in the system,
older AED

Question 4

CNS effects

Answer 4

impaired cognition, dizziness, drowsiness, ataxia, incoordination, weakness

Question 5

suicide risk with AEDs

Answer 5

2x normal risk

Question 6

How do AEDs function?

Answer 6

Block glutamate- brains main excitatory neurotransmitter (always activate things)
Enhances GABA- slows down the brain (sleep disorder drugs ad anxiety drugs also do this)

Question 7

Newer AEDs

Answer 7

Easy to dose
Easy to use
Few interactions
“weak inducers” (might cause interaction, but not that severe)
Same side effects, less often, less severe
Lower fetus risk in pregnancy

Not a ton of experience
Don’t have that great of effects (level of effectiveness is lower)

Question 8

Oxcarbazepine

Answer 8

New AED
CNS effects, weak enzyme inducer, HOA variant testing in Asian heritage

Question 9

Lamotrigine

Answer 9

new AED
common rash (HOA variant testing in asian heritage)

Question 10

Gabapentin

Answer 10

new AED
used in nerve pain

Question 11

Pregabalin

Answer 11

new AED
weight gain, angioedema, euphoria

Question 12

Levetiracetam

Answer 12

new AED
CNS effects, increase BP, can be given IV and PO

Question 13

Topiramate

Answer 13

new AED
pain reliever, migraine use, w. loss
can cause metabolic acidosis and kidney stones