Module 2:Epilepsy

Question 1

When do you start and stop epilepsy medication?

Answer 1

Start - 2 or more seizures in 6-12 mos

Stop - seizure free for at least 2 years

Question 2

Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Answer 2

Phenytoin
Carbamazepine 
Valporate
Gabapentin
Topiramate
Lamotrigine
Phenobarbitals 
Benzodiazepines

Question 3

What anti-epileptic drugs are also used for bipolar disorder?

Answer 3

Carbamazepine
Valporate
Topiramate

Question 4

What anti-epileptic drugs are used for anxiety as well?

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines

Question 5

Which anti-epileptic drug is also used for migraines?

Answer 5

Topiramate

Question 6

Which of the only anti-epileptic drug is injectable?

Answer 6

Phenytoin

Question 7

Side effects of phenytoin?

“Pheobe gets drunk and her eyes dart around. She’s got a gummy smile and a little extra hair”

Answer 7

Ataxia, nystagmus, gingivitis/bleeding gums, hirsutism

Question 8

Side effects of Carbamazapine?

Carly eats very little, is fatigued, and does not like salt, and is seeing double.

Answer 8

Diplopia, anorexia, hypoatremia, low blood count.

Question 9

Side effects of Valporate?

“Victor who is bald gets drunk and can get quite shaky and moody.

Answer 9

Alopecia, liver damage, tremor, behavioural change.

Question 10

Side effects of Gabapentin?

“Gary’s eye’s kept twitching and he couldn’t see clearly, so he ate the wrong food and became fat”

Answer 10

Nystagmus, Blurred vision, weight gain, rash.

Question 11

Side effects of Topiramate?

Tom wore very tight jeans and his kidneys hurt and skin was ticklish, but he couldn’t remember why he was born like that?

Answer 11

Weight loss, Kidney stones, parasthesia (tickle under skin), memory problems, birth defects.

Question 12

Side effects of Lamotrigine?

Larry liked his anti-epileptic drug because he barely felt a thing except for some itchy skin and a headache.

Answer 12

Least effects. Headache, rash.

Question 13

Side effects of Phenobarbital?

Phagwant had poor blood circulation and thought his heart gave up on him.

Answer 13

Hypotension, bradycardia.

Question 14

Side effects of Benzodiazepines?

Ben is an elderly patient with diminished memory who gets very excited and agitated to walk but he walks as if he’s drunk and falls and hurts his chest which effects his breathing.

Answer 14

Anterograde amnesia, excitation/agitation, increased fall risk, ataxia, respiratory depression

Question 15

Besides epilepsy, what is Gabapentin also used for?

Answer 15

Diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain.

Question 16

Difference between symptom and sign

Answer 16

Symptoms - subjective evidence of disease (eg. sore toe, itchy rash)

Sign - objective evidence of disease (eg. heart rate 75, blood pressure 140/90)

Question 17

What is the goal of epilepsy drugs?

Answer 17

Seizure control

Question 18

Which anti epileptic drug is used for febrile seizures?

Answer 18

Phenobarbitals