Chapter 4 BNF (Epilepsy) Flashcards
What are examples of non epileptic seizures?
Organic eg hypoglycaemia
Psychogenic eg mental or emotional
Which antiepileptics are not given twice daily?
Barbiturates
Lamotrigine
Phenytoin
What’s first line and second line in partial focal seizures?
Carbamazepine or Lamotrigine
Oxcarbazepine sodium Valproate levetiracetam
What’s first line in Tonic Clonic seizures?
Lamotrigine or Sodium valproate
Carbamazepine
What’s first line in absence seizures?
Ethosuxamide or sodium Valproate
Lamotrigine
What’s first line in myoclonic?
Sodium Valproate
Topiramate or levitiracetam
What’s first line in tonic/atonic seizures?
Valproate
What’s the option if monotherapy with antiepileptics doesn’t work?
Dual therapy then triple therapy
What’s in category 2?
Lamotrigine
Valproate
Clonazepam
Topiramate
What’s the risk with quick withdrawal of antiepileptics?
Rebound seizures (withdraw one at a time)
How long must established epilepsy patients be seizure free before they can drive?
One year
How long must patients be awake seizure free (if experiencing sleep seizures) before being allowed to drive?
One year if no awake seizures
3 years if awake seizures
How long must someone wait to drive if they have an unprovoked seizure?
6 months
How long after being withdrawn from antiepileptics can patients drive?
6 months
Which antiepileptics must you monitor foetal growth with? Which causes a cleft palate?
Topiramate (cleft)
Levetiracetam
Should patients on one antiepileptic be encouraged to breastfeed?
Yes
When should patients on antiepileptics take folic acid?
Before pregnancy up to 12 weeks pregnant
Which antiepileptics are present in high amounts in breast milk?
Zosunamise
Ethosuxamide
Lamotrigine
Primidone