Chap 14 Antiepleptic Drugs Flashcards
Epilepsy
Seizure
Brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in nerve cells of the brain
Convulsion
Involuntary spasmodic contractions of any or all voluntary muscles throughout the body, including skeletal, facial, and ocular muscles
Epilepsy
Chronic, recurrent pattern of seizures
Status Epilepticus
Multiple seizures occur with no recovery between them.
True medical emergency
Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)
AED therapy is usually lifelong.
Antiepileptic Drugs: Adverse Effects
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Long-term therapy with phenytoin (Dilantin) may cause gingival hyperplasia
Hydantoins: Phenytoin
Phenytoin (Dilantin) has been used as a first-line drug for many years and is the prototypical drug.
Adverse effects: gingival hyperplasia, acne, hirsutism, Dilantin facies, and osteoporosis
Therapeutic drug levels are usually 10 to 20 μg/mL.
Highly protein bound
Filter must be used.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Contraindication
Most often used for treatment of neuropathy
Contraindication: known drug allergy
Adverse effects: CNS and GI symptoms
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Most common uses: neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia
Valproic Acid
Treatment of generalized seizures, bipolar disorder, and controlling partial seizures
Adverse effects: drowsiness, GI disturbances, tremor, weight gain, hair loss, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis
Nursing Implication of Antiepileptic Drugs
Assessment
Liver function studies,
complete blood count
Baseline vital signs
Oral drugs
Take regularly, same time each day.
If patient is NPO for a procedure, contact prescriber regarding AED dosage.
AEDs should not be discontinued abruptly.
Teach patients that therapy is long term and possibly lifelong (not a cure).
Monitor for adverse effects:
Mental status changes, mood changes, changes consciousness or sensorium
Sore Throat
Fever
