Epilepsy

Question 1

How many epileptic seizures are required to diagnose epilepsy? Time period.

Answer 1

2 seizures more than 24 hours apart.

Question 2

Causes of epilepsy

Answer 2

1/3 idiopathic (familial)

2/3 anatomical/structural cause

Question 3

Precipitating factor for seizure

Answer 3

inadequate sleep 
alcohol abuse/withdrawal
medications- tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine
trauma, stroke, haemorrhage, raised ICP
Infection (meningitis, encephalitis, HIV

Question 4

Medications for

a) focal seizure

Answer 4

carbamazepine and lamotigine

Question 5

b) Tonic-Clonic

Answer 5

Sodium Valporate

Lamotrigine

Question 6

c) Myoclonic

Answer 6

Sodium Valporate

Question 7

d) Absent

Answer 7

Sodium Valporate
Lamotrigine
ethosuximide

Question 8

Info to tell patient

Answer 8

Driving:

1) first seizure: 6 months
2) epilepsy: 1 yr

Warning dangerous: swimming, heights

Question 9

Which drugs is contraindicated on hx of bone marrow suppression, AV node conduction abnormality and acute porphyria

Answer 9

carbamazepine

Question 10

What must you tell women starting anti-epileptics

Answer 10

increased risk of teratogenicity, want to stop to fall pregnanct- need specialist

Question 11

Which anti epileptics work by effecting GABA

Answer 11

Carbamazepine: ↑GABA transmission and block Na+ channels

SV: ↑GABA conc & blocks Na+ channels