Neurology Flashcards
Define Seizures
Transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain
~ 10% of the population will experience a seizure
Benign febrile seizure occurs in 2 – 5% of children < 5 years of age
- Centralized Seizures
- Focal Seizures
Epilepsy
- Disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to seizures
- Epilepsy requires the occurrence of at least one epileptic seizures
- ~ 1% of the general population will develop epilepsy
Focal seizures include…
specific aura, motor autonomic features
Pharmacotherapy of Seizure Control (3)
- Anti-Epileptic drugs (AEDs)
- Ketogenic
- Vitamin Supplementation
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
MOA
Indications (2)
MOA
- Blocks sodium channels to decrease frequency and voltage of rapidly firing nerve cells
Indications
- Tonic-Clonic Seizures
- Focal Seizures
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Adverse Effects (4)
- Ataxia
- Diplopia
- Hyponatremia
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Drug-drug interactions (3)
- CYP3A4 substrate and inducer (makes half-life variable depending on duration of treatment). At induction is complete within 3 – 5 weeks
- Strong inhibitor for CYP2C19, 2C9, 1A2
- Moderate inhibitor of 2B6
Benzodiazepines
MOA
PK (2)
ADE (4)
MOA
- Binds to GABAA receptor increasing the activity of GABA
PK:
- Similar efficacy
- Onset of action and half-life differ
Adverse Effects
- Respiratory Depression
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Delirium
Benzodiazepines
Indications (4)
Available Agents (4)
Indications
- Delirium Tremens
- Absence Seizures
- Myoclonic Seizures
- Status Epilepticus
Available Agents
- Diazepam (Diastat®/Valium®)
- Lorazepam (Ativan®)
- Midazolam (Versed®)
- Clonazepam (Klonipin®)
Benzodiazepines
Clinical Pearls
Other uses (3)
Administration and dosage forms (4)
Other Uses
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pre-procedure sedation
- Anxiety
Administration andƒ dosage forms
- Diazepam: IV/PO/PR (Diastat®)
- Lorazepam: IV/PO
- Midazolam: IV/PO
- Both lorazepam and midazolam can be administered intranasally
Ethosuximide, Zarontin
MOA
Indications
MOA
- Succinamide
- Blocks sodium and calcium channels
Indications
- Absence Seizures **ONLY INDICATION
Ethosuximide, Zarontin
ADE
Clinical Pearls
Adverse Effects
- Blood dyscrasias
Clinical Pearls
- Many drug interactions (CYP3A4)
- Can measure serum concentrations
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Mechanism Of Action
Blocks sodium channels to decrease frequency and voltage of rapidly firing nerve cells
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Absorption and therapeutic drug concentrations
Absorption: Variable depending on dosage form (increase with food)
Therapeutic drug concentration
- Total = 10 – 20 mcg/ml
- Unbound = 1 – 2 mcg/ml
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Distribution
Highly protein bound
Adjusted C = C/0.2 x serum albumin + 0.1
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Metabolism
Half-life
Metabolism
- CTP 2C9 and 2C19
Half-Life
- Depends on formulation