Antiepileptics Drugs

Question 0

antiepileptic drugs

Answer 0

prescription drugs that prevent or reduce the severity of epilepsy and different types of epileptic seizures, not just convulsive seizures

Question 1

anticonvulsants

Answer 1

substances or procedures that prevent or reduce the severity of epileptic or other convulsive seizures

Question 2

autoinduction

Answer 2

a metabolic process in which a drug stimulates the production of enzymes that enhance it’s own metabolism over time, which leads to a reduction in therapeutic drug concentrations

Question 3

convulsion

Answer 3

a type of seizure involving excessive stimulation of neutrons in the brain and characterised by the spasmodic contraction of voluntary muscles

Question 4

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 4

a recording of the electrical activity that arises from spontaneous currents in nerve cells in the brain, derived from electrodes placed on the outer skull

Question 5

epilepsy

Answer 5

a general term for any of a group of neurologic disorders characterised by recurrent episodes of convulsive seizures, sensory disturbances, abnormal behaviour, loss of consciousness, or any combination of these

Question 6

generalised onset seizures

Answer 6

seizures originating simultaneously in both cerebral hemispheres

Question 7

gingival hyperplasia

Answer 7

overgrowth of gum tissue and often a side effect of phenytoin

Question 8

partial onset seizures

Answer 8

seizures originating in a more localised region of the brain (also called focal seizures)

Question 9

primary epilepsy

Answer 9

epilepsy in which there is no identifiable cause (also known as idiopathic)

Question 10

seizure

Answer 10

excessive stimulation of neutrons in the brain leading to a sudden burst of abnormal neuron activity that results in temporary changes in brain function, primarily affecting sensory and motor activity

Question 11

status epilepticus

Answer 11

a seizure disorder that characterised by generalised tonic-clonic convulsions that occur repeatedly; considered a medical emergency

Question 12

tonic-clonic seizures

Answer 12

seizures involving initial muscular contraction throughout the body (tonic phase), progressing to alternating contraction and relaxation (clonic phase)

Question 13

antiepileptic drugs: barbiturates

Answer 13

phenobarbital [Generic], primidone [Mysoline]

Question 14

antiepileptic drugs: hydantoins

Answer 14

phenytoin [Dilantin], fosphenytoin [Cerebyx]

Question 15

antiepileptic drugs: iminostilbenes

Answer 15

carbamazepine [Tegretol, Carbatrol], oxcarbazepine [Trileptal]

Question 16

antiepileptic drugs: miscellaneous

Answer 16

gabapentin [Neurontin], lacosamide [Vimpat], lamotrigine [Lamictal], levetiracetam [Keppra], pregabalin [Lyrica], tiagabine [Gabitril], topiramate [Topamax], valproic acid [Depakene, Depakote, Depacon], zonisamide [Zonegran]

Question 17

antiepileptic adverse effects (first-line drugs): barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital, primidone)

Answer 17

dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, paradoxical restlessness

Question 18

antiepileptic adverse effects (first-line drugs): hydantoins (e.g. phenytoin, fosphenytoin)

Answer 18

nystagmus, ataxia, drowsiness, rash, gingival hyperplasia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, hepatitis

Question 19

antiepileptic adverse effects (first-line drugs): iminostilbenes (e.g. carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine)

Answer 19

nausea, headache, dizziness, unusual eye movements, visual change, behavioural changes, rash, abdominal pain, abnormal gait

Question 20

antiepileptic adverse effects (first-line drugs): valproic acid and derivatives including valproate sodium and divalproex sodium

Answer 20

dizziness, drowsiness, GI upset, weight gain, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis

Question 21

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): gabapentin

Answer 21

dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, visual and speech changes, oedema

Question 22

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): pregabalin

Answer 22

dizziness, drowsiness, peripheral oedema, blurred vision

Question 23

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): lamotrigine

Answer 23

drowsiness, ataxia, headache, nausea, blurred or double vision

Question 24

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): levetiracetam

Answer 24

dizziness, drowsiness, hyperactivity, behaviour changes (e.g. anxiety, hostility, agitation, or suicidal ideation), uncoordination

Question 25

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): succinimides (e.g. ethosuximide)

Answer 25

nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness

Question 26

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): tiagabine

Answer 26

dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, asthenia, GI upset, abdominal pain, rash, tremor

Question 27

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): topiramate

Answer 27

dizziness, drowsiness, GI upset, ataxia

Question 28

antiepileptic adverse effects (adjunct drugs): zonisamide

Answer 28

drowsiness, anorexia, ataxia, confusion, agitation, cognitive impairment

Question 29

antiepileptic drugs

Answer 29

carbamazepine, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital and primidone, phenytoin and fosphenytoin, pregabalin, tiagabine, topiramate, valproic acid, zonisamide