Epilepsy Flashcards
Phenobarbitone
A) Barbiturate
B)
- Epilepsy (Partial, Generalised tonic-clonic, Neonatal and Febrile seizures)
- Status Epilepticus (unresponsive to benzodiazepines and phenytoin)
C)
60 - 240 mg ONCE daily at BEDTIME
D)
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (steady state may not be achieved for 2-4weeks)
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rash)
- Respiratory Depression
- Decreased thyroxine
- Renal
- Hepatic
- Interactions
- BMD monitoring
E) Labels: 1, 5, 9, 21, A* #Avoid alcohol (worsen S/E) S/E: CNS (Sedation, Confusion, Depression, Altered Mood and Behaviour, Cognitive impairment) Skin (Rash)
Primidone
Mysoline®
A) Barbiturate
B)
1. Epilepsy (partial and generalised tonic-clonic)
C)
125 mg nocte - 1.5 g in 2 doses
D)
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rash)
- Respiratory depression
- Thyroxine (decreased)
- BMD monitoring
- Renal
- Hepatic
- Interactions
E) Labels: 1, 5, 9, 21, A # Avoid alcohol (worsen S/E) S/E: CNS (Sedation, Confusion, Depression, Altered Mood and Behaviour, Cognitive impairment) Skin (Rash)
Clobazam
Frisium®
A) Benzodiazepine
B)
1. Epilepsy (refractory)
C)
Initially 5-10 mg NOCTE
Max 60 mg daily (APF23 says 80mg)
D)
- Tolerance and Dependence
- Periodic blood counts
- LFTs
- Renal
E) Labels: 1, 9 # Avoid Alcohol S/E: CNS (light-headedness, dizziness, dry mouth or headaches) - dizziness may persist into the following day
Clonazepam
Paxam®, Rivotril®
A) Benzodiazepine
B)
- Epilepsy (refractory)
- Status Epilepticus
C)
Initially 0.5 - 1 mg NOCTE
2 - 8 mg daily (in divided doses)
D)
- Tolerance and Dependence
- Periodic Blood Counts
- LFTs
E)
Labels: 1, 9, 21 and A*
S/E:
# May initially cause dizziness and tiredness. These should eventually decrease or disappear.
# Drowsiness and dizziness may persist into the following day
Note: Take this medicine only as often and for as long as your doctor recommends
Diazepam
Valium®
A) Benzodiazepine
B)
- Acute treatment of seizures (including Status Epilepticus)
- Muscle spams
- Prevention of RECURRENT febrile seizures
C)
2 - 15 mg daily in divided doses
Max: 60 mg daily
Midazolam
Used in IV - don’t worry.
Used for Status Epilepticus
Acetazolamide
Diamox®
A) Systemic Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor
B)
- Epilepsy (menstrual-related, adjunctive or refractory)
- Perioperative reduction of intraocular pressure (acute angle-closure crisis)
- Chronic open-angle glaucoma (other failed tx)
C)
1. Epilepsy: 4 mg/kg - 30 mg/kg in 3-4 doses
Max: 1g daily
2. Chronic open-angle glaucoma: initially 125 mg BD - 250 mg QID
3. Perioperative decrease in intraocular pressure: 250 - 1 g daily in divided doses
D)
- Hepatic (contraindicated)
- Renal (dose adjust)
- Signs of allergy (rash) and sulfonamide
- Tolerance (50% don’t tolerate)
- Sodium or Potassium (decreased)
- Worsening of Gout
E)
Labels: 10a, 12 and B
#Take tablets with meals to reduce risk of stomach upset
#If you develop signs of an allergic reaction (e.g. rash, itching, red welts on the skin, fever) tell your doctor.
S/E:
NUMBNESS and TINGLING of the extremities and face,
CNS (fatigue, drowsiness and depression),
Unfavourable (decreased libido + metallic taste)
Carbamazepine
Tegretol®
A) Anti-epileptic or Mood-stabiliser
B)
- Epilepsy (partial and generalised tonic-clonic)
- Trigeminal and Glossopharyngeal neuralgias
- Bipolar DIsprder
C)
Start: 50-100 mg BD
Usual range: 400 mg - 1.2 g daily (divided doses)
Max: 2 g daily (divided doses)
D)
1. TDM
2. Changes in mood or behaviour
3. Complete Blood Count (bone marrow suppression)**
4. BMD
5. Hypersensitivity and skin reactions **
6. Multi-organ hypersensitivity syndrome **
7. LFTs
8.. Drug interactions
NOT renal
E)
Labels: 5, 9, 12+, 18, A*, B
#May initially cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and nausea. Disappears/Decreases with continued use
#Avoid alcohol (increase S/E)
#Tell your doctor immediately if rash, sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding occurs.
Ethosuximide
Zarontin®
A) Anti-Epileptic
B)
1. Absence seizures
C)
Start: 250 mg BD
Max: 1.5 g daily (in 2 doses)
D) 1. TDM (rarely) 2. Complete blood count (leucopenia) 3. Hypersensitivity NO renal or LFTS
E)
Labels: 1, 9, 21, A*
#Increase the effects of alcohol
#Tell your doctor immediately if fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, bruising or rash develops.
S/E:
GIT (anorexia, n+v, epigastric pain, weight loss),
CNS (drowsiness, dizziness, headaches)
Gabapentin
Neurontin®
A)
Anti-epileptic / Adjuvant analgesic
B)
- Partial seizures +/- generalised seizures (adjunctive)
- Neuropathic pain
C) #Epilepsy: Start: 300 mg NOCTE Usual: 900 mg - 1.8 g daily (in 3 doses) Max: 3.6 g daily #Neuropathic pain: Start: 100 mg - 300mg NOCTE Usual: 1.8 g - 3.6 g daily (in 3 doses)
D) 1. Changes in mood or behaviour 2. Abrupt cessation (withdrawal symptoms) 3. Renal NO LFTs
E)
Labels; 1, 9, 12
#Neuropathic pain: might take 2-4 weeks before you notice an improvement
#Take your first dose at bedtime
S/E:
CNS (fatigue, sedation, dizziness, amnesia, abnormal thinking)
Motor (tremor, dry mouth, weight gain)
Lacosamide
Vimpat®
A) Anti-epileptic
B)
1. Partial seizures +/- secondary generalised seizures (adjunctive)
C)
Start: 50 mg BD
Max: 200 mg BD
D) 1. Drugs that lower seizure threshold 2. Abrupt cessation 3. ECG (prolongs PR interval) 4. Renal (reduce dose) NO LFTs
E) Labels: 9, 12 #Increases the effects of alcohol S/E: CNS (dizziness, headaches, nausea, drowsiness, fatigue) Vision (diplopia, blurred vision) Motor (abnormal coordination, tremor)
Lamotrigine
Lamictal®
A) Anti-epileptic / Mood stabiliser
B)
- Partial seizures + Generalised seizures (adjunct or monotherapy)
- Bipolar disorder (prevention of depressive episodes)
C) *Monotherapy: Start: 25 mg daily Usual: 100 - 200 mg daily (1-2 doses) *Valproate Start: 25 mg every second day *Enzyme inducer: Start: 50 mg daily Usual: 200 - 400 mg daily (in 2 doses) Max: 700 mg daily
D) 1. Changes in mood or behaviour 2. Severe skin reactions** 3. Drug interactions (valproate + enzyme inducers) 4. Hepatic impairment (reduce dose) NO Renal
E)
Labels: 1, 9, 21
#May initially cause blurred vision, headaches, dizziness. Decreases/Disappear with continued use
#Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a rash, fever or swollen glands
#Increase effects of alcohol
Levetiracetam
Keppra®
A) Anti-epileptic
B)
- Partial seizures +/- secondary generalised seizures (monotherapy)
- Adjunctive therapy of partial, generalised and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in patients >12 years
C)
Start: 250-500 mg BD
Max: 1.5 g BD
D) 1. Behavioural effects** 2. Hypersensitivity 3. Renal (reduce dose) NO LFTs
E) Labels: 1, 9 #Increase effects of alcohol S/E: Mood (Depression, anxiety, nervousness, emotional liability, irritability)
Oxcarbazepine
Trileptal®
A) Anti-epileptic
B)
- Partial and Generalised seizures (adjunct or mono)
- fewer CNS s/e + interactions than carbamazepine
C)
Start: 300 mg BD
Usual: 600 mg - 2.4 g daily (in 2 doses)
D) 1. Sodium concentration (low) 2. Hypersensitivity reactions 3. Complete Blood Count (leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, etc) 4. Renal (reduce dose) NO LFTs
E) Label: 5, 9, 12, 21, A* #Increase effects of alcohol # Tell your doctor immediately if rash, sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding occur S/E: GIT: (n+v, constipation, diarrhoea) Skin: (rash, acne, alopecia) CNS (somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, headache)
Perampanel
Fycompa®
A) Anti-epileptic
B)
1. Partial seziures +/- secondary generalised seizures (adjunct)
C)
Start: 2 mg ONCE daily
Usual: 4 - 8 mg ONCE daily
Max: 12 mg ONCE daily
D)
- Behavioural and Psychiatric effects**
- Hepatic (main route)
- Renal (avoid if < 50 mL/min)
E)
Labels: 1, 9
#Taken once daily at bedtime
#You may be more likely to FALL while taking this medicine
#Avoid alcohol - worsen s/e
#Tell your doctor - significant changes to mood or behaviour
S/E
Behavioural + Psychiatric (aggression, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, suicidal)
CNS (drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue)
GIT (nausea, weight gain)
Motor (ataxia, balance disorder, fall)