Seizure Drugs Flashcards
Drugs for simple and complex partial ( focal)
Caramazepine Fosphenytoin
Phenytoin
Valbroic acid
Primidone
Phenobarbital
Primary generalized tonic-clonic absence Atonic drugs
Carbamazepine, phenytoin ,
Phenobarbital, valproate, acid levetiracetam
All antiepiletic drugs have undesired effects
Sedation, mental dueling, impaired memory or concentration , dry upset ,
Why are seizure drugs important?
To reduce and eliminate seizures
It outweighs the side effects
Allows pt to live as normal as possible
How do AED drugs work?
Suppress discharge of neurons
Suppression of sodium influx
Suppression of CA influx
Promotion of potassium efflux
Blockade of receptors for glutamate
Potentiation of GABA
Why monitor plasma level regularly?
Serves as a guide for dosage adjustment
Monitors pt adherence
Determines cause of lost seizure control
Identify causes of toxicity
Promoting pt adherence
Adhering to prescribed regimen
Monitoring plasma levels to encourage and evaluate adherence
Deepening pt and family involvement by maintaining a seizure frequency chart
Non-adherence causes 50% of failures
If they want to withdraw the drug dont stop abruptly ( can cause seizure)
1 reason why pt choose traditional drugs
BIG PHARMA - new medications are super expensive
Traditional drugs have more side effects than the newer ones
Phenytoin
Traditional (most widely used)
Active Against partial and generalized tonic clonic seizures
Side effect of phenytoin
Gingival hyperplasia ***
Increase growth of gum tissue
Give more than one form of contraception ( cannot get pregnant)
Cognitive impairment
Measles like rash (morbilliform)
Cardiac dysrhythmias and hypotension
Nursing intervention for gingival hyperplasia
Oral care
Phenytoin drug interactions
Decrease effect oral contraceptives use (give multiple forms) , warfarin, glucocorticoids (why we assess their meds)
Increases Dilantin levels - have to take diazepam
Acute alcohol use will increase dilation levels
Chronic alcohol use will decrease ( cause more seizures)
Administered with food **
Carbamazepine
Same as phenytoin (minimal effects on cognitive function)
Can be used for bipolar disorder and triageminal neuralgia
Causes bone marrow suppression
Pay attention for infections and symptoms pt will have
Valproic acid
1st line of drugs for all partial and generalized seizure (bipolar disorder and migraine prevention)
Hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis (assess liver history)
Phenobarbital
Reduce seizure without causing sedation
Can cause physical dependence/ inform fam of any behavior/mood changes
Abrupt withdrawal can cause SE
