Drugs For Seizures Flashcards
Epilesy
Condition characterized by recurrent seizures
Seizure
Disturbance of electrical activity in the brain that may affect consciousness, motor activity, and sensation.
Convulsions
Involuntary, violent spasms of large skeletal muscles of the face, neck, arms, and legs.
Febrile seizure
Convulsion in a child triggered by a fever
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
Severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, characterized by seizures, coma, and perinatal mortality.
Partial (focal) seizures
Involves limited portion of the brain. Abnormal electrical activity starts on one side and travels only a short distance before it stops.
Generalized seizures
Travels throughout the entire brain on both sides. The seizure is thought to originate bilaterally and symmetrically within the brain.
Status epilepticus
Medical emergency caused by the repeated occurrence of a seizure.
Amobarbital (Amytal)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Barbiturates
Control of status epilepticus or acute convulsive episodes; schedule IV drug
Mephobarbital (Mebaral)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Barbiturates
Rarely used for seizures, converted to phenobarbital by the liver
Phenobarbital (luminal)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Barbiturates
For tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures, status epilepticus, and eclampsia; schedule IV drug
Primidone (Mysoline)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Barbiturates
For tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures, status epilepticus, and eclampsia; IV drug
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Benzodiazepine
For absence and minor motor seizures; and panic disorder; schedule IV drug
Clorazepate dipotassium (Tranxene)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Benzodiazepine
For partial seizures and anxiety; schedule IV drug
Diazepam (Valium)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Benzodiazepine
For status epilepticus and anxiety related symptoms and muscle spasms
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Benzodiazepine
Most potent of benzodiazepines; for status epilepticus, nausea, vomiting, preoperative sedation, anxiety, and insomnia; schedule IV drug
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Newer GABA-related drugs
Chemical structure similar to GABA; speeds up release of GABA from brain neurons; for partial seizures or seizures that could become generalized
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Newer GABA-Related drugs
Chemical structure similar to GABA; for partial seizures
Tiagabine (Gabitril)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Newer GABA-Related drugs
Inhibits uptake of GABA into presynaptic neurons, prolonging GABA action; for partial seizures
Topiramate (Topamax)
Antiseizure drugs that potentiate GABA action
Newer GABA-Related drugs
Sugar-like chemical molecule; enhances action of GABA; for partial seizures
Fosphenytoin sodium (Cerebyx)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Converted to phenytoin in the body; for control of status epilepticus; short-term substitute for oral phenytoin
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Hydantoins and related drugs
For tonic-clonic, complex partial seizures, and seizures after head trauma
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
For tonic-clonic and complex partial seizures; trigeminal neuralgia (intense pain along angle of jaw), and bipolar
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
For Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and partial seizures; may cause anemia and liver toxicity in some pts.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
For partial, generalized tonic-clonic, and myoclonic seizures; and bipolar
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
For partial seizures
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
Derivative of carbamazepine with similar treatment profile; may cause serious skin and organ hypersensitivity reactions in some pts.
Valproic acid (Depakene)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
Broad spectrum rx; for absence, and mixed generalized seizures; also for bipolar
Zonisamide (Zonegran)
Hydantoins and related drugs
Phenytoin-like drugs
Broad spectrum rx; for partial seizures; it is a sulfonamide, which means may cause allergic reaction in some pts
Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
Succinimide
For absence, myoclonic seizures, and akinetic epilepsy
Methsuximide (celontin)
Succinimide
For absence seizures; may be used in combination with other anticonvulsants in mixed types of seizure activity
Phensuximude (Milontin)
Succinimide
For absence seizures; similar characteristics to methsuximide
