Epilepsy Flashcards
What are some causes of epilepsy?
Traumatic brain injury, stroke, infection, Brain tumour.
What are some classification of seizures?
Focal onset seizures - focal aware seizure, focal impaired-awareness seizure
Generalised onset seizures - tonic-clonic seizures, generalised absence seizure, myoclonic seizure, atonic seizure
Status epilepticus - a series of seizures
Define tonic, clonic, atonic and absence
Tonic - tonic muscle contractions -limb extension and arching of the back
Clonic - presents as limb jerking
Atonic - sudden lose in muscle tone
Absence - brief lapses in consciousness without loss of posture
What is the basic MOA of anti-seizure drugs?
Prolongation of the inactivated state of voltage-gated Na+ channels, positive modulation of K channels, inhibition of Ca2+ channels
Enhancement of GABA neurotransmission
Modulation of synaptic release process
Diminishing synaptic excitation mediation by inotropic glutamate receptors
What is the MOA of phenytoin?
Membrane stabilizing effect: use-dependent blockade of Na+ channel, preferred binding to inactivated state, decrease neuronal excitability, decrease repetitive action potentials
Decrease glutamate release and Ca influx
What is the action of sodium channels of phenytoin?
Binds to this channel in the inactivated state, causes the channel to stabilise in this state.
Sodium channels cycle rapidly through to the inactivated state thus this block accumulates. This leads to use-dependant blocking action. It also has a voltage dependence to its blocking action.
What are some phenytoin pharmacokinetics?
A- well absorbed orally
D- 90-95% bound to albumin
M- metabolised by CYP3A4, CYP2C9 (Inducer)
E- inactive metabolites
What is a special consideration of phenytoin?
It has a narrow therapeutic index so therapeutic drug monitoring is needed.
What are some adverse effects of phenytoin?
Nystagmus, dizziness, cognitive impairment
Hirsutism, folate deficiency, peripheral neuropathy
What are some drug interactions of phenytoin?
Lamotrigine (metobolism may be induced), Antiretrovirals (PIs)
Lithium, oral contraceptives (no protection), warfarin
What is the MOA of carbamazepine?
Use dependent blockade of Na channels, decreases high frequency repetitive neuronal firing
Decreases Ca entry, could interact with K ion channels.
What are adverse effects of carbamazepine?
Diplopia, dizziness, nausea, rash, hyponatremia
What happens to the auto-induction of carbamazepine?
Starts within 3-5 days of treatment, complete after 21-28 days of continous therapy. Thus we start low (100mg-200mg) BD, increase weekly by 100-200mg/day
What are significant drug interactions of carbamazepine?
MAOIs, Lithium, rifampicin, antiretrovirals
What is the MOA of sodium valproate?
Inhibits breakdown of GABA by inhibiting transporter, promote synthesis of GABA