Neuro Flashcards
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Indication
Treat muscle spasms from spinal cord injury, MS, CP, or injury
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Prototype
Baclofen (Lioresal)
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
MOA
Enhance inhibitory effects of GABA on spinal cord, which suppresses hyperactive reflexes
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Major adverse effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, muscle weakness, constipation, withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly (anxiety, hallucinations, seizures)
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
administration
-PO with lowest effective dose and gradual increase
-Give with food or milk
-Can give via intrathecal infusion into spine too
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Safety
-Rhabdomyolysis due to abrupt discontinuation from intense muscle contractions, kidney damage ensues
-avoid alcohol
Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
MAOIs within past 2 weeks = CNS depression
CVA or seizure disorder
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Indication
relax skeletal muscle spasms from CVA, spinal cord injury, MS, and CP
Prevent malignant hyperthermia
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Prototype
Dantrolene (Dantrium)
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
MOA
Inhibit release of calcium from muscle cells, which inhibits muscle contraction
Reverses malignant hyperthermia in IV form
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Adverse effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, muscle weakness, diarrhea
Liver toxicity
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Admin
PO or IV
(IV for malignant hyperthermia)
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Contraindications
Liver disease
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants
Safety
-Use with alcohol and other CNS depressants = resp depression
-use with estrogen = liver toxicity
Hydantoins (AED)
Indication
Control tonic-clonic seizures
Hydantoins (AED)
Prototype
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Hydantoins (AED)
MOA
Decrease neuron activity by inhibiting influx of sodium
Hydantoins (AED)
Adverse effects
Drowsiness, gingival hyperplasia among children and teens, skin rash can indicate Steven Johnson or become septic
Hydantoins (AED)
Safety
-abrupt discontinuation can cause status epilepticus
-narrow therapeutic range (ataxia, nystagmus, sedation)
-reduces BC effectiveness
Hydantoins (AED)
Admin
Give with food
-Inject IV slowly because phenytoin acts on heart too (abrupt reduction in sodium influx can cause dysrhythmias or arrest)
Hydantoins (AED)
Contraindications
Pregnancy
Skin rash
Bradycardia/heart block
Allergy to hydantoins
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Indication
Treats tonic clonic and partial seizures
Mood stabilizer for bipolar
Helps trigeminal neuralgia pain
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Prototype
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants MOA
Inhibit sodium influx into neurons, which decreases electric activity
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Adverse effects
Nystagmus, headache, blurred vision, ataxia (CNS depression)
Fluid retention
Skin rash - Steven’s Johnson
Photosensitivity reaction
Bone marrow suppression
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Admin
Give with meals
Must be given consistently to avoid seizures (i.e., take with a sip of water if NPO for procedure)
Interacts with grapefruit
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Safety
Monitor WBC prior to giving carbamezapine
Monitor for skin rash
Instruction:
Driving
Sunscreen
Lowers BC effectiveness
Report fever and easy bruising (bone marrow suppression)
Traditional AED/Anticonvulsants
Contraindications
Absence or myoclonic seizures
Pregnancy (weigh risks)
Heart failure or hematologic disorder
Valproic acid/Valproate
Indications
Anticonvulsant (Treats all types of seizures)
Controls mania with bipolar
Migraine treatment
Valproic acid/Valproate
Prototype
Valproic acid (Depakote, Depacon, Depakene)
Valproic acid/Valproate
MOA
Inhibits sodium influx into neurons and also may affect calcium influx and enhance GABA
Valproic acid/Valproate
Adverse reactions
GI upset
Bruising, bleeding due to bone marrow suppression
Rash
Liver toxicity (more common in first few months)
Hyperammonemia (valproic acid alters fatty acid metabolism)
Valproic acid/Valproate
Admin
PO or IV
Enteric coated and take with food to avoid GI upset
Can sprinkle on food
Valproic acid/Valproate
Safety
Review lab results for ammonia, platelets, and bleeding time
Monitor for pancreatitis (rise in serum amylase)
Monitor for liver function, jaundice, abdominal pain
Valproic acid/Valproate
Contraindications
Pregnancy
Liver disorder
Blood clotting disorders
Use of other anticonvulsants
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Indication
improve cognitive function in mild to moderate dementia
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Prototype
Donepezil (Aricept)
Cholinesterase inhibitors
MOA
Inhibits acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine, causing an increase in acetylcholine
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Adverse effects
GI effects: Nausea, GI bleed
Neuro effects: insomnia, dizziness, headaches
Cardiac effects: Bradycardia, syncope