Antiseizure Agents Flashcards
What seems to cause seizures?
Abnormal neurons sensitive to stimulation or prone to over-responsiveness
What are primary seizures?
Seizures with no underlying cause
What are secondary seizures?
Seizures because of a primary cause (ie. head injury, overdose, fever)
What is a tonic-clonic seizure?
dramatic contractions/relaxations of muscles (spasms)
What is an absence seizure?
abrupt, brief loss of consciousness
Looks like daydreaming, absent stare
What is Status Epilepticus?
Most dangerous of seizures
Repeated seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes
Considerations for use of Antiepileptic Agents
In Children
- Can affect learning and development
- More sensitive to sedating effects
- May need to switch doses/meds as they get older
- They often need LARGER doses since they metabolize the drug faster
- Parents need support and education
Considerations for use of Antiepileptic Agents
In Adults
- Regular, routine care
- Monitor for adv. effects
- Medic Alert Bracelet
- DO NOT breastfeed while taking => causes heavy sedation in infants
- Fetal abnormalities => use barrier contraception, weigh risk vs benefit in pregnancy
Considerations for use of Antiepileptic Agents
In Older Adults
- More susceptible to adv. effects
- LOWER dose needed to do to impaired metabolism
- CNS effects => need for safety precautions
- Renal or hepatic impairment => inc. risk of toxicity
- Monitor serum levels closely
- Medic alert Bracelet
Anti-Seizure
Hydantoins
Drug Name
Phenytoin
Anti-Seizure
Hydantoins
Mechanism of Action
Stabilizes the nerve membranes by blocking channels in the cell membrane or altering recepter sites
* Decreases excitability and hyperexcitability to stimulation
(less sedating than barbituates)
Hydantoins
Indication
Seizures
Anti-Seizure
Hydantoins
Contraindications
Absolute:
* Allergy
Cautions:
* Elderly or debilitated patients
* Impaired renal or hepatic funtion
* Depression or pyschoses
Anti-Seizure
Hydantoins
Adverse Effects
- CNS depression (confusion, lethargy)
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Hypotension
- Severe liver toxicity
- Bone Marrow suppression
- Urinary Retention
- Loss of libido
Anti-Seizure
Barbituates and Benzodiazepines
Adverse Effects
- SIGNIFICANT CNS depression (confusion, lethargy, fatigue)
- Cardiac Arrhythmias, changes in BP
- Urinary Retention
- Loss of libido
- Physical dependence and withdrawal
- Black Box Warning: Opiods & Benzodiazepines together can results in: Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death