HA/Seizure/MDD/Anxiety Flashcards
characteristics of tension HA
dull with pain that radiates from forehead to occiput in a band-like fashion. Often radiates down the neck and sometimes into the trapezius muscle
characteristics of migraine HA
throbing head pain and often nausea, appetite change, photophobia, phonophobia
characteristics of cluster HA
disabling, burning, or boring and centered around one eye. Unilateral. Refer to neurologist or HA specialist
main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNA
GABA
excitatory neurotransmitters in CNA
glutamate
aspartate
2 major groups of seizures
partial
generalized
focal seizures (simple partial)
no alteration of consciousness
symptoms determined by anatomical location of seizure in the brain and may be motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychic
may evolve into complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic
complex partial seizure (psychomotor)
impaired consciousness with some sort of automatic behavior
may be proceeded by an aura
types of generalized seizures
absence atypical absence tonic-clonic clonic atonic myoclonic tonic
absence seizures (petit mal)
sudden onset, brief, disrupt ongoing activity, no postictal state
blank stare and nonresponsive when spoken to
tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
abrupt loss of consciousness. bilateral jerking movements, increased salivation, frothing at the mouth, deep respiration and relaxation of muscles. Vague, ill-defined warning sign but no true aura. Postictal period with depressed consciousness that can be prolonged
clonic seizures
rapidly repetitive bilateral jerking movements of extremities and facial muscles with short postictal state
atonic seizures (drop attacks)
sudden loss of muscle tone which may be only fragmentary. May be brief and not associated with loss of consciousness
myoclonic seizures
sudden, brief, shock like muscular contractions
tonic seizures
brief, generalized tonic contractions with associated head extension, possible stiffening of back and stiffening or all 4 extremities
status epilepticus
life threatening emergency. Seizure activity lasting longer than 30 minutes or two sequential seizures with no recovery between
precipitating factors for status epilepticus
drug noncompliance sudden withdrawal from antiepileptic drugs withdrawal from alcohol/sedative drugs CNS infection metabolic disturbances sleep deprivation stroke trauma encephalitis
apparent unprovoked first seizure
EEG, CT or MRI
phenytoin use
one of the most commonly used for tonic-clonic as well as simple and complex partial seizures. Also used to prevent early posttraumatic seizures after TBI
does phenytoin require a loading dose
yes
contraindications to phenytoin
no absolutes
black box warning for severe cardiac events with rapid IV admin
dosage titration of carbamazepine
don’t decrease due to slightly elevated level during 1st month as it will likely decrease as a result of autoinduction. If it is decreased it will likely continue to decrease and dosage should be increased
carbamazepine for myoclonic seizures
not effective and may in fact exacerbate
self-interaction of carbamazepine
can induce its own metabolism resulting in decreased serum concentrations over time (induces and is metabolized by CYP3A4)
what else does oxcarbazepine interact with
oral contraceptives
black box warning for valproic acid
potential for hepatic failure
risk of hepatotoxicity with known mitochondrial disorders
spina bifida (do not give to pregnant patients)
severe life-threatening pancreatitis
symptoms of hepatotoxicity
malaise, weakness, facial edema, anorexia, jaundice, and vomiting
Valproic acid and carbapenems
rapid decline in valproate plasma concentrations
does phenobarbital require a loading dose
yes
black box warning for ezogabine
may cause retinal abnormalities which can loss loss of visual acuity
contraindications to pregabalin
hx of angioedema, HF, HTN, DM
dosage of topiramate in relation to creatinine clearance
<70 dosage should be lowered by 50%
black box warning for felbamate
100-fold increased risk for aplastic anemia (avoid use in patients with history of blood dyscrasias)
black box warning for vigabatrin
may cause permanent bilateral concentric visual field constriction
visual assessment with vigabatrin use
baseline, week 4, then q3mo
rufinamide administration
give with food for increased absorption
dosing of clobazam
based on patient weight
clobazam interactions
alcohol can increase concentration by as much as 50%
can reduce effectiveness of birth control
benzodiaepines for seizure control
clobazam
clonazepam
lorazepam
diazepam
clonazepam contraindications
narrow-angle glaucoma severe liver disease chronic respiratory disease impaired renal function mentally challenged
medications that greatly increase diazepam levels by altering clearance
SSRIs
sertraline
paroxetine
first line treatment for SE
benzodiazepines
most common seizure syndrome in pediatrics
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome ( usually associated with mental retardation)
poor prognosis for seizure control
geriatric considerations for antiepileptic drugs
decreased liver/renal function
lower albumin levels can caus higher free drug concentrations increasing likelihood of adverse reactions
AEDs that can lead to contraceptive failure
topiramate, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine
whn AED is started or changed, how many half-lives to reach steady state
5 elimination half-lives
which AEDs limit their own half0life when given chronically
carbamazepine and valproic acid