Pharm Test 3 Flashcards
List the main types of siezures
focal
complex focal
focal secondarily generalized
Generalized
generalized tonic-clonic
generalized absent
tonic
atonic
clonic and myoclonic
infantile spasms
What are the symptoms of simple focal seizures?
Minimal spread of discharge
Does not affect consciousness or awareness
EEG may show normal discharge
what is the difference between focal and generalized seizures?
focal begins and stays in one area of the brain
generalized covers the entire brain
What are the symptoms of complex focal seizures?
Where do these originate?
May become unresponsive or lose consciousness
Most arise from temporal lobes
What are the symptoms of focal seizures secondarily generalized?
Begin as simple or complex focal seizures, but then spread to rest of brain
Look like generalized tonic-clonic seizures
What does generalized seizures have that focal seizures do not?
aura and post-ictal phase
What are the symptoms of a generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure?
Person falls to ground
Entire body stiffens
Muscles jerk or spasm
Tongue or cheek may be bitten
Urinary incontinence
What are the symptoms of a generalized absent seizure?
Stare into space
Wake-up, no notice of seizure
Some automatisms possible
What are the symptoms of a generalized tonic seizure?
Muscles suddenly contract and stiffen (“sudden tone”)
Often causes falls
Another form of drop attack
What are the symptoms of a generalized atonic seizure?
Sudden loss of muscle tone
Patient falls without warning
A drop attack
What are the symptoms of a generalized clonic and myoclonic seizure?
Make the body jerk like it is being shocked
What are the symptoms of infantile spasms?
Muscle spasms that affect a child’s head, torso, and limbs
Usually begins before age of 6 months
what are the 3 general mechanisms of action that are targets for antiepileptic drugs?
- Modification of ion conductance
Na+, K+, Ca++ - Enhancing inhibition
Increasing inhibitory response by increasing activity at GABA receptors - Inhibiting excitation
Inhibit excitation response by inhibiting glutamate transmission, either at glutamate receptor or through release of glutamate itself
What are the most common automatisms seen with seizures
Lip smacking
Rapid blinking of eyes
Swallowing
Fumbling
Scratching
Stumbling about
What is tonic?
increase in tone of muscles; muscles contract and stiffen
what is clonic?
muscle jerks/spasms; rapid movement back and forth
What is the oldest non-sedative anti seizure drug?
phenytoin
what is the most effective drug for tonic-clonic seizures?
phenytoin
What is important to know about the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin?
It is highly bound to albumin.
It is really easy to overdose on when in it’s free form
have to be careful with other drugs that compete for albumin or kick phenytoin off albumin
What drug kicks phenytoin off of albumin?
valproic acid
what is the therapeutic level of phenytoin?
10-20mcg/mL
only 10% is typically in the free form in the body
what is the toxic and lethal level of phenytoin?
30-50mcg/mL
> 100mcg/mL
what are drugs that compete for albumin binding sites?
carbamazepine
sulfonamides
Valproic acid
What are the toxicity symptoms of phenytoin?
vision changes
sedation
gingival hyperplasia
hirsuitism
what is the MOA of carbamazepine?
blocks Na+ channels
what drug class is carbamazepine?
TCA
what is the drug of choice for focal seizures?
carbamazepine (tegretol)
what does carbamazepine treat besides focal seizures?
trigeminal neuralgia
What is special about the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine?
It increases it’s own metabolism by increasing CYP450
named autoinducer
This increased metabolism also increases the metabolism of other drugs:
phenytoin
phenobarbital
ethosuxemide
valproic acid
clonazepam
locasamide(Vimpat) is widely used for what?
focal seizures
what is the MOA of lacosamide(Vimpat)?
blocks Na+ channels
toxicity of lacosamide (Vimpat)?
HA, nausea, dizziness
what is the safest sedative anti epileptic drug?
phenobarbital
what is the MOA of phenobarbital?
unknown
may enhance GABA
what is the drug of choice for seizures in infants?
phenobarbital
which anti seizure drug is the closest to the “miracle drug” that works for most seizures?
what types of seizures is it not useful to give for and may actually worsen them?
phenobarbital
Absence, atonic attacks, infantile spasms
what is the toxicity of phenobarbital?
sedation
What is fosphenytoin?
More soluble prodrug of phenytoin
“Better” than phenytoin because can be given IV
What are the drugs used for Focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
phenytoin (Dilantin)
Carbamazepine
Lacosamide (Vimpat)
Phenobarbital
What are the drugs used for generalized seizures (not tonic-clonic)
ethosuximide
valproic acid(depakene)
what is the drug of choice for absence seizures?
ethosuximide
Ethosuximide has a good safety and efficacy index which is why it is often used for
children