Epilepsy Flashcards
What is status epilepticus?
Life threatening uninterrupted seizure activity
What are the two types of partial seizure?
Simple- confined (sensory distortions or abn. activity in a single muscle group or limb) no LOC
Complex- LOC sensory hallucinations, mental distortion
Motor dysfunction eg chewing movements, diarrhoea, urination
Types of generalised seizure?
ABSENCE- brief, abrupt, selflimiting LOC eg stare w rapid eye blinking
TONIC-CLONIC- LOC followed by continuous contraction and rapid contraction/relaxation (depletes glucose, confused/exhausted after)
TONIC or CLONIC individually
ATONIC- drop attacks
Primary vs Secondary causes of seizures
Primary- inherent tendency
Secondary- as a consequence of a medical condn affecting brain
Major recognised precipitants of epilepsy
Sleep deprivation, Stress Alcohol intake Physiological changes eg pH, electrolytes, glucose Sensory stimuli eg strobe lights Infn eg febrile convulsions in infants
What type of seizures is carbamezipine good for?
Partial
Sodium valproate is first line in what type of seizure?
Primary generalized
Which two anti epileptics are not recommended in absence seizures?
Carbamezipine
Phenytoin
(Both act on VGSC)
Which 2 anti epileptics can be used in emergencies w life threatening status epilepticus?
Benzodiazepines and Phenytoin
When is lamotrigine used?
Effective on both partial and generalised seizures
Drug of choice for women of childbearing age or pregnant
What is a common ADR of all anti epileptics
Ataxia
Sedation is also quite common
MoA carbamezipine
VGSC inhibition
MoA lamotrigine
VGSC inhibition as well as reduced glutamate release
Possibly calcium block
Carbamezipine dosing
Affects its own metabolism so half life decreases each dose
MoA sodium valproate
Variety MoA
Increases GABA, VGSC blocker, weak Ca channel blocker
