Seizures Flashcards

0
Q

Seizure medications can do 2 different things. What are they?

A

Raise seizure threshold

Decrease excitatory neurotransmitters and increase inhibitory neurotransmitters

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1
Q

What are the three types of seizures

A

Partial
General
Special syndrome

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2
Q

What stimulates the action potential

A

Influx of sodium and calcium

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3
Q

What slows or stops the action potential

A

Influx of chloride or efflux of potassium

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4
Q

What is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter

A

GABA

gamma-amniobutyric acid

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5
Q

Why would you initially give a low dose for seizure medication

A

Gradually increase until goal achieved or side effects are tolerable

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6
Q

Why are serum drug levels routinely obtained with seizure medications

A

Narrow therapeutic index

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7
Q

How should you instruct someone to discontinue a seizure medication

A

Gradually, over a 6-12 month period

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8
Q

Newer drugs are better because they have less side effects but what is one downfall of them

A

Doubles risk of suicide behavior

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9
Q

Barbiturates mechanism of action of seizures

A

Stimulating GABA receptors causing influx of chloride ions

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10
Q

Side effects of barbiturates for seizures

A

Profound CNS depression

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11
Q

Phenobarbital (barbiturate agent)

A

Less CNS effects
Inexpensive
Takes a while to work
Doesn’t work for absence seizures

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12
Q

What is the drug of choice for neonatal seizures

A

Phenobarbital

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13
Q

Indications of benzodiazepines

A

Myoclonus and absence seizures

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14
Q

Are benzodiazepines generally used alone or in adjunct

A

Adjunct

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15
Q

Mechanism of action for benzodiazepines

A

Stimulate GABA

16
Q

Klonopin (clonazepam)

A

Benzodiazepine

17
Q

Ativan (lorazepam)

A

Benzodiazepine

18
Q

Valium (diazepam)

A

Benzodiazepine

Drug of choice for status epilepticus
Works in seconds

19
Q

Newer GABA related drugs for nerve pain

A

Neurontin (gabapentine)

Lyrica (pregabalin)

20
Q

Topamax (topiramate)

A

Newer GABA related drug

21
Q

Who would get a Valium suppository

22
Q

Hydantoins (for seizures)

A

Increase seizure threshold by suppressing influx of sodium

23
Q

Side effects of hydantoins

A

Drowsiness
Headaches
Dizziness

24
Dilantin (phenytoin) | Cerebyx (fosphenytoin)
Hydantoins for seizures | Also first line drug for status epilepticus
25
Why are Valium and Dilantin both first line drugs for status epilepticus
Give at same time | Valium works faster but Dilantin works longer
26
Mechanism of action for phenytoin-like drugs for seizures
Suppress influx of sodium
27
Side effects of phenytoin-like drugs
``` Dizziness Ataxia Somnolence Headache Blurred vision ```
28
Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Phenytoin-like Bipolar disorders Tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizure
29
Depakote (valproic acid)
Phenytoin-like Absence and partial seizures Bipolar disorders
30
Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Phenytoin-like Broad spectrum anti-seizure Long term bipolar maintenance