Epilepsy Treatment Flashcards
Treatment of focal epilepsy
1st = carbamazepine or lamotrigine 2nd = sodium valproate, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate
Treatment of tonic-clonic seizures
1st line = sodium valproate or lamotrigine
2nd line = carbamazepine, clobazam, levetiracetam or topiramate
Treatment of absence seizures
1st = sodium valproate or ethosuximide 2nd = lamotrigine
Treatment of myoclonic seizures
1st line: sodium valproate
2nd line: levetiracetam, lamotrigine, topiramate
Which drug should be avoided in myoclonic seizures?
Carbamazepine
Treatment of atonic or tonic seizures
Sodium valproate or lamotrigine
Side effects of sodium valproate
Teratogenic
Weight gain
Hair loss
Fatigue
Side effects of lamotrigine
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Side effects of phenytoin
Hirsutism
Gingival hypertrophy
Coarseness of skin
Side effects of levetiracetam
Mood swings
Side effects of carbamazepine
Can make primary generalised epilepsies worse
Dizziness
Hepatic enzyme inducer –> can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (COC, morning after pill)
Side effects of topiramate
Weight loss
Sedation
Dysphasia
