Lecture 15: Anticonvulsants Flashcards
Seizures are ____firing of brain neurons
Disordered, synchronous, rhythmic firing
Seizures may result from too much___ or too little ____
Glutamate, gaba
What is the drug of choice for status epilepticus
Diazepam (or other benzos)
What is the MOA for benzos
Bind GABAa receptor open Cl- channels resulting in hyperpolarization
How does phenobarbital work
Bind GABAa receptors, open Cl- channels and hyperpolarize
What is phenobarbital used for
Maintenance therapy of seizure disorders in dogs and cats
Chronic use of phenobarbital can cause what
Increase P450- increase drug interactions
What are some side effects of phenobarbital
PU/PD, polyphasia, sedation
Phenobarbital can increase ___ and ___ enzymes
TSH and liver enzymes
What are some adverse effects of phenobarbital
Liver toxicity, superficial necrolytic dermatitis
How does levetiracetam work
Binds synaptic vesicular protein (SV2A) and inhibits NT release
Levetiracetam seems to decrease ___and decrease ___
Likelihood of seizures and brain damage caused by seizures
What is levetiracetam used for
Monotherapy or add on with phenobarbital to tx seizures
What is the preferred tx for refractory epilepsy in dogs
Levetiracetam
What are some side effects of levetiracetam
Sedation, vomiting, anorexia
What is MOA of KBr
Br- enter via Cl- channels causing hyperpolarization