Exam 3 Flashcards
Seizures, opioids, non-cancer pain relief, multiple sclerosis
Drug class of clobazam
Benzodiazepine
Clobazam use
Adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox Gastsult syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older
Clobazam schedule
4
Clobazam dispensing requirement
Review med guide with every patient or caregiver
Ethosuximibe use
First line for absence seizures
Therapeutic level for ethosuximibe
40-100 mg/L (note: one of the few new AEDs that requires monitoring)
Ezogabine use
Adjunctive agent for partial seizures
Side effects of ezogabine
Dizziness, somnolence, urinary retention
Severe side effect of ezogabine
QT prolongation within 3 hours of administration
Ezogabine dispensing requirement
REMS for urinary retention, medication guide is available
Felbamate use
Reserved for patients not responding to other AEDs
Felbamate side effects
Aplastic anemia and acute liver failure
Felbamate dispensing requirement
Patient or guardian must sign consent form
Gabapentin use
Second line for partial seizures +/- generalizations (also largely used off label)
Off label use for gabapentin
Neuropathic pain, migraines, bipolar disorder
Important counseling point for how to take gabapentin
Do not discontinue abruptly, can cause withdrawal seizures even if not using the medication as AED
Why might gabapentin be adjusted in kidney disease?
Renal elimination, can accumulate and cause additional somnolence
Lacosamide use
adjunctive treatment of partial seizures
Lacosamide schedule
5
Lacosamide side effect
PR internval prolongation
Lacosamide dispensing requirement
Medication guide must be dispensed with each prescription
Important point about lamotrigine that pharmacists should look out for
LOTS of drug interactions
What is one common drug interaction with lamotrigine, what is the effect, and should this combination be avoided?
Valproic acid can increase lamotrigine serum concentrations by 200% (can be used together but need to start lamotrigine doses lower)
Lamotrigine side effect (SEVERE!) and how can we prevent?
Rash due to SJS, start low and go slow especially when given with valproic acid
Levetiracetam absorption and elimination
Completely absorbed after oral administration, renally eliminated
Important pearl about levetiracetam
No induction/inhibition hepatic interactions
T or F: oxcarbazepine is a prodrug of carbamazpine
False (but structurally related
Oxcarbazepine use
Potential 1st line agent for primary generalized convulsions
What makes oxcarbazepine different from carbamazepine? What makes them similar?
No auto-induction, less potent inducer than carbamazepine, possible cross-sensitivity for SJS rash between the two
Oxcarbazepine side effect
Hyponatremia
T or F: the dose of oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine are 1:1 (if F, how would you convert?)
False (CBZ dose per day * 1.5 = OXC dose per day)
Rufinamide use
Adjunctive treatment of generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Rufinamide side effect
QT shortening, Contraindicated in patients with familial short QT syndrome
Tigabine use
2nd line agent for partial seizures in patients who failed initial therapy
Important pearl about tigabine
No inhibition or induction of hepatic enzymes, but CYP3A4 substrate
Topiramate use in seizures
First line for partial seizures
Other common use for topiramate
migraine prophylaxis
Topiramate side effects (2 big ones)
CNS effects (psychomotor slowing, somnolence, irritability, slurred speech, confusion), kidney stones 2-4x normal
Vigabatrin use
Adjunctive for patients with really complex seizures
Vigabatrin dispensing requirement
REMS: causes permanent vision loss in infants, children, and adults (Blind as a BAT (vigaBATrin)); DO NOT CRUSH OR CUT; Prescribers and pharmacies must be registered with the program
Zonisamide side effect
SJS (d/c immediately)
Advantage of zonisamide
Long half-life, once daily dosing (others are normally 2-4!)
Role of CBD in seizures
major nonpsychoactive component of marijuana, expected to have anti-seizure properties, Potential alternative for refractory epilepsy in adults and children who do not respond to current medications, Epilepsy is one of 23 approved indications for medical marijuana in PA
Metabolism (enzymes) of medical marijuana
Metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19
Potential DDIs with medical marijuana
Induced by carbamazepine and phenytoin, Inhibited by ketoconazole
What important safety factor must we look out for with AED use?
Patients on AED have twice the risk of suicidal behavior
Common effect of epilepsy
Sexual dysfunction (caused by many different medications used to treat seizures as well!)
Important note about hormonal contraceptives with AEDs
Need at least 50mcg of ethinyl estradiol (decreases effectiveness)
What AED medication should usually be avoided in pregnancy?
Avoid valproic acid monotherapy or polytherapy in the first trimester
What supplement is important for pregnancy?
Folic acid
What is status epilepticus?
Neurologic emergency that can be associated with brain damage and death
Operational definition of SE
> 5 minutes of continuous seizure or >2 discrete seizures between which there is incomplete recovery of consciousness
Conceptual definition of SE
Condition resulting from either the failure of the mechanisms responsible for seizure termination or from the initiation of mechanisms that lead to abnormally prolonged seizures
Can have long term consequences, including neuronal death, neuronal injury, alteration of neuronal networks
2 types of SE and what they look like
Generalized SE: Characterized by repeated primary or secondary seizures that involve both hemispheres of the brain, Associated with persistent postictal state
Nonconvulsive SE: Fluctuating or continuous twilight state that produces altered consciousness and/or behavior
Common causes of SE
Structural lesion (stroke, anoxia, trauma, CNS tumor, hemorrhage) and no structural lesion (withdrawal of AED, alcohol withdrawal, CNS infection)
T or F: elderly patients have a higher mortality associated with SE than children
True
Variables in the mortality of SE
- Time between onset and treatment
- Duration of seizure
- Presence of structural damage
- Patient characteristics: older age, medical comorbidity, high initial APACHE-II scores
Complications of SE
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Lactic acidosis
- Aspiration pneumonitis
- Neurogenic pulmonary edema
- Respiratory failure
First steps in treating SE (before you even start)
- Assess vital signs
- Establish an adequate and protected airway
- Administer oxygen
- Obtain arterial blood gas
- Obtain blood sugar
- Perform an EEG if possible
Non-AED therapy for SE
Oxygen, correct electrolytes, cooling blanket, central IV line, if Wernicke’s encephalopathy (due to alcohol, if you don’t know just give it, it won’t hurt them) give thiamine, dextrose if hypoglycemic (if you don’t know, just give it, it won’t hurt them)
Treating SE: time 0 (3 distinct medications)
- If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is possible (occurs in alcoholics), give IV thiamine
- If hypoglycemia cannot be ruled out, give dextrose IV
- 1st line agents: benzodiazepines
What are the types of benzodiazepines that are used for SE and considerations for route of administration?
o Lorazepam considered first line
o Also can use diazepam, midazolam
o Give doses as IV (midazolam must be continuous infusion), IM route not preferred due to delay, can also give diazepam as rectal gel, also have intranasal diazepam (in patients as young as 6 years, weight-based dosing, can give 2 doses per episode) and midazolam (can give 2 doses per episode)
How do benzodiazepines work to stop seizure?
enhancement of GABA actions by helping GABA bind more tightly to the GABA receptor
Benzodiazepine side effects
hypotension, vasodilation, amnesia, drowsiness, headache, confusion
Treating SE: time 10-30 min (when benzo doesn’t work or seizure recurs)
2nd line agents: phenytoin IV or fosphenytoin
Important administration pearl for fosphenytoin (especially useful in SE emergency)
Can be given IM and if no central line is present, less hemodynamic effect
Treating SE: time 60 min
Additional bolus of phenytoin or fosphenyotin
Treating SE: time 90 min
3rd line agents: phenobarbital or valproic acid (most common this one)
Treating SE: refractory (list 3 possible medications and associated ADE)
- Continuous infusion of midazolam
- Continuous infusion of pentobarbital (associated with hypotension, may need pressor support) – not really used
- Propofol (may cause hypotension, bradycardia, hypertriglyceridemia)
Advantages of using newer AED (side effects, monitoring, dosing, DDI)
- Lower ADE rates
- Little or no need for serum monitoring
- QD or BID dosing
- Fewer drug interactions
- Pregnancy category C (not D!)
Important safety consideration for AED
Monitor patients for emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior or depression
Phenytoin MOA
inhibition of voltage-dependent sodium channels
Phenytoin use
First line for primary generalized convulsive and partial seizures
Important point about dispensing phenytoin
Differences exist between different salt products (cannot substitute products!!)
How do tube feedings affect phenytoin?
Tube feedings decrease absorption (separate by 2 hours)
Phenytoin oral bioavailability
100%
How does protein binding affect phenytoin? Similarly, how does protein binding of phenytoin affect other drugs?
90% bound to albumin, free phenytoin is the part that causes therapeutic effect (therefore, less albumin, more free drug, more effect), low albumin levels caused by renal failure, malnutrition, burn patients
Drug interactions possible due to drug displacement from albumin (warfarin, valproate)
Volume of distribution consideration for phenytoin
Obesity increases volume of distribution, use adjusted body weight instead
Metabolism of phenytoin (what enzymes and kinetics?)
Extensive hepatic metabolism by CYP2C9/19
Zero order kinetics, metabolism saturates at doses used clinically (at saturation, small increases in dose can result in high serum concentrations)
Phenytoin elimination route
Renal
Loading dose for phenytoin
15-20 mg/kg IV at rate of <50mg/min
Why is there a rate limit for phenytoin administration?
Slow IV to avoid venous irritation, pain, thrombophlebitis, administration related hypotension and arrhythmias
Maintenance dose for phenytoin
300 mg/day (5-6mg/kg/day) in 1-3 divided doses
Concentration dependent ADE of phenytoin
lethargy, fatigue, in-coordination, blurred vision, dizziness, ataxia, nystagmus
Concentration independent ADE of phenytoin (think of the example pictures from lecture)
hypertrichosis, gingival hypertrophy, thickening of facial features, osteomalacia, folate deficiency, hypersensitivity reactions
Monitoring for phenytoin
BP, vital signs, plasma phenytoin, CBC, LFTs
Therapeutic range for phenytoin (and what do we measure?)
Total 10-20 mg/L; free 1-2 mg/L
Trough levels for therapeutic range
When should you obtain trough to test if dose is correct for patient?
Obtain 2-3 weeks after initiation or change of dose, Obtain trough about 30 minutes before next dose (lowest level)
Dose increases for phenytoin based off trough levels
If <7, increase by 100mg/day
If 7-12, increase by 50mg/day
If >12, increase by 30mg/day
If trough is subtherapeutic, but not zero, how should you fix this (and what is the calculation?)
Extra LD (if someone already has drug in the body, and drug level comes back low, don’t need to totally reload the dose, just need to give a little more) to achieve desired serum levels; then use table if normal renal function to change maintenance dose
IV dose (mg/kg)=(Cdesired-Cactual)*0.7
Correction for hypoalbuminemia
Ccorrected= Cobserved/(0.2(Alb+0.1))
Correction for renal failure
Ccorrected= Cobserved/(0.1(Alb+0.1))
T or F: fosphenytoin is a prodrug of phenytoin
True
How is fosphenytoin dosed and what is the loading dose?
Dosed by phenytoin equivalents (PE)
Loading dose: 10-20 mg/kg PE
Major benefit of fosphenytoin over phenytoin
Less infusion site reactions, can also give IM for those without IV access
Carbamazepine MOA
inhibition of voltage-dependent sodium channels, interaction with voltage-gated calcium and potassium channels
Carbamazepine use
First line for partial and primary generalized convulsive seizures who are not in an emergent situation
What pregnancy category is carbamazepine?
D
Difference in absorption of various formulations of carbamazepine
Erratic from IR tablets due to low water solubility, SR formulations minimize fluctuations
Describe the metabolism of carbamazepine (which enzyme and what makes this drug special)
Hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4, induces hepatic enzymes, auto-induction of its own metabolism
Describe how auto-induction of carbamazepine might affect dosing
Max auto-induction 2-4 weeks after initiation, Re-adjust dose at 3-4 weeks due to auto-induction
Starting dose, weekly increase, and target dose for carbamazepine
o Starting dose: 200 mg BID PO
o Weekly increase: 200 mg/day
o Usual dose: 800-1200 mg/day given in 2-4 divided doses (max 1600-2400 mg/day)
Important counseling point about carbamazepine ER capsules
ER capsules may be opened and sprinkled on food
Concentration dependent ADE of carbamazepine
nystagmus, ataxia, blurred vision, diplopia, vomiting, sedation, dizziness
Concentration independent ADE of carbamazepine
leukopenia, hypersensitivity
Carbamazepine FDA alert (what is it for, who does it affect, how does it affect them)
Screening of patients for Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*1052 allele, Present in patients with Asian ancestry
Strong correlation with allele and serious dermatologic reactions with carbamazepine (SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
Patients who are positive should NOT be treated with carbamazepine
Carbamazepine monitoring
CBC with platelet count, serum iron at baseline and periodically, serum level
Therapeutic range for carbamazepine
4-12 mg/L
Valproic acid MOA
potentiate postsynaptic GABA responses, have a direct membrane stabilizing effect, affect potassium channels
Valproic acid use
First line for primary generalized seizures such as myoclonic, atonic, and absence seizures, can be used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for partial seizures, useful in patients with mixed seizure disorder
Important dispensing point about valproic acid
DO NOT substitute between dosage forms
DDI with valproic acid
Lots of CYP interactions
Increases carbamazepine
Increases lamotrigine
Increases free phenytoin
Increases phenobarbital
Aspirin increases valproic acid
Carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital decrease valproic acid
Loading dose for valproic acid
15-20 mg/kg IV
Starting dose, weekly increase, and target dose for valproic acid
Initial: 10-15 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses
Weekly increase 10 mg/kg/day
Target: 30-60 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses
Dose dependent ADE for valproic acid
GI complaints (take with food), alopecia, thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction
Dose independent ADE for valproic acid
hepatotoxicity
Monitoring for valproic acid
baseline and periodically LFTs, CBC with platelets, serum valproate levels
Therapeutic range for valproic acid
50-100 mg/L total
Phenobarbital MOA
elevate seizure threshold by interaction with GABA receptors to facilitate intrinsic chloride channel function, blockade of high voltage calcium channels
Phenobarbital use
Drug of choice for neonatal seizures but is reserved in other situations for patients who have failed therapy with other AEDs, may be useful given IV in refractory SE
Loading dose for phenobarbital
15-20 mg/kg IV
How should we administer the loading dose of phenobarbital?
Avoid rapid administration due to hypotension, Use caution in hemodynamically unstable patients
Maintenance dose for phenobarbital
50-100 mg 2-3 times daily (1-3 g/kg/day in 1-2 doses)
Concentration dependent ADE for phenobarbital
sedation, respiratory depression, hypotension