Antiseizure Agents Flashcards
Pharmacology Exam 1
What are the 3 types of seizures?
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Absence Seizure
Status Epilepticus
What is the suffix for the antiseizure agent class Hydantoins?
Phenytoin
What are the 2 generic medications for the antiseizure agent class Barbiturates?
Phenobarbital
Primidone
What is the suffix for the drug class Benzodiazepines?
“azepam”
Clonazepam
Diazepam
What is the suffix for the drug class Succinimides?
“suximide”
Ethosuximide
Methosuximide
What are the two generic drug names in the drug class GABA Modulators?
Valproic Acid & Divalproex
How does Hydantoins work?
They stabilize the nerve membranes by blocking channels in the cell membranes or by altering reception sites. This decreases excitability and hyperexcitability of the membrane.
How does Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines work?
They stabilize the nerve membranes by blocking channels in the cell membranes or by altering reception sites. This decreases excitability and hyperexcitability of the membrane.
How does Succinimides work?
They suppress the abnormal electrical activity in the brain
How does GABA Modulators work?
They suppress the abnormal electrical activity in the brain and increases GABA levels in the brain.
Why is Phenytoin given?
For Seizures
Why are benzodiazepines given?
For Seizures
Why are the generic drug Ethosuximide given?
For seizures, but most commonly with absence seizures.
Why are Valproic Acid and Divalproex given?
For Seizures
What drug class does Valproic Acid and Divalproex fall under?
GABA Modulators
What does GABA stand for and what does it do?
GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid, an amino acid that functions as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS)
What patients should we be cautious with giving Phenytoin to?
Elderly or deliberate patients
Patients with impaired renal or liver functions.
Patients with depression or psychosis
What patients should we be cautious with giving ‘Phenobarbital’ and ‘Diazepam’ to?
Elderly or deliberate patients
Patients with impaired renal or liver functions.
Patients with depression or psychosis
What patients should we be cautious with giving ‘Methosuximide’ to?
Patients who have Renal or Hepatic disease
What patients should we be cautious with giving ‘Divalproex’ to?
Patients with Hepatic or Renal impairment
What are the adverse effects of Hydantoins’/Phenytoin?
CNS Depression
Cardiac Arrythmias and Hypotension
Severe Liver Toxicity
Bone Marrow Suppression
Urinary retention
Loss of Libido
What are the adverse effects of Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines?
CNS Depression:
- Confusion, Drowsiness, lethargy, fatigue
Cardiac:
Arrythmias, Changes in BP, Urinary retention
Loss of Libido
Physical dependency and withdrawal symptoms
What does the Black Box Warning on Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates say?
Mixed with opioids this medication may cause
Profound sedation
Respiratory depression
Coma
Death
What are some the adverse effects of Ethosuximide?
CNS depressant effect
Bone Marrow Suppression
Steven Johnson Syndrome
What is Steven Johnson Syndrome?
A rare, serious, and potentially fatal skin reaction that causes blistering and peeling of the skin and mucous membranes. It’s characterized by a rash that usually starts on the upper body and spreads to other areas of the body, including the face, arms, legs, and genitals. The rash is not usually itchy, but blisters appear on the skin and burst to leave painful sore
What is Bone Marrow Suppression?
Bone marrow suppression also known as myelotoxicity or myelosuppression, is the decrease in production of cells responsible for providing immunity, carrying oxygen, and/or those responsible for normal blood clotting
What are the adverse effects that may happen when a patient takes Valproic Acid?
CNS Depression
Liver Toxicity
Pancreatitis
DRESS: Drug reaction with Eosinophilia & Systemic Symptoms
What is DRESS symptoms
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DReSS) is a rare disorder that can affect the skin, blood and any internal organs, most commonly the liver, kidney, lungs and heart. also called drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome