Drug names

Question 1

PHENYTOIN

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions treated
4. Side effects

Answer 1

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. Enhances Na channel inactivation (“use-dependent”)
3. All types of epilepsy except absence seizures
4. Metabolism increases during pregnancy (need to increase dose)

Question 2

ETHOSUXIMIDE

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions treated
4. Side effects

Answer 2

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. Blocks Ca channels (T-type)
3. Epilepsy (absence seizures only)
4. May exacerbate tonic-clonic seizures

Question 3

SODIUM VALPROATE

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism(s) of action
3. Conditions treated
4. Side effects

Answer 3

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. (a) enhances Na channel inactivation
   (b) blocks Ca channels (T-type)
   (c) GABA transaminase inhibition
3. All types of epilepsy, including absence seizures

(also used to treat bipolar)

4. Generally fewer side effects than other drugs

Question 4

BARBITURATES

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions used
4. Side effects

Answer 4

1. Anti-epileptic drug (in neuro anyway)
2. Enhances GABAa action. Prolongs opening time of channels (increases Cl- conductance)

NB. Unlike benzodiazepines, barbiturates are not selective

3. All epilepsies except absence seizures, not commonly used now
4. Bad side effects. Sedation. OD causes respiratory and circulatory failure. Tiredness, forgetfulness, confusion

Question 5

CARBAMAZEPINE

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism(s) of action
3. Conditions used
4. Side effects

Answer 5

1. Anti-epileptic drug

2 (a) enhances Na channel inactivation

(b) ? activates adenosine receptor (indirectly decreases glu)
3. Most widely used AED, except not used for absence seizures. Used particularly for partial seizures and temporal lobe epilepsy.

Also used for trigeminal neuralgia

4. Metabolism increases during pregnancy (must increase dose to avoid seizures).

Sedation, ataxia, blurred vision

Question 6

BENZODIAZEPINES

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions used
4. Side effects

Answer 6

1. Anti-epileptic drug (for neuro anyway)
2. Enhances action of GABA. Acts on specific subset of GABAa receptors –> binds between alpha and beta substrates
3. All types, particularly status epilepticus (lorazepam)
4. Rapid tolerance

Question 7

VIGABATRIN

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions used
4. Side effects

Answer 7

VIGABATRIN

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. GABA transaminase inhibitor (inhibits GABA metabolism)
3. All types
4. NB

Question 8

TIAGABINE

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions used

Answer 8

TIAGABINE

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. Binds to GABA transporter (competitive inhibition) - inhibits uptake of GABA into neurones and glial cells.
3. Partial seizures

Question 9

GABAPENTIN/PREGABALIN

1. Type of drug
2. Mechanism of action
3. Conditions used

Answer 9

1. Anti-epileptic drug
2. Mechanism unknown (was synthesised as a GABA analogue but has no effect on GABA. Seems to act on Ca channels)
3. Partial seizures