Untitled Deck Flashcards
What is Epilepsy
o Chronic, recurrent pattern of seizures.
o Can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (due to trauma, infection, etc.).
What is Seizure?
Brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Status Epilepticus
o Continuous seizures lasting ≥5 minutes without regaining consciousness.
o Medical emergency requiring benzodiazepines (lorazepam, diazepam).
What is Tonic-Clonic Seizure (Grand Mal)?
o Tonic phase: Muscle stiffening.
o Clonic phase: Rhythmic jerking.
Absence Seizure (Petit Mal)
Brief episodes of “spacing out” or staring, common in children.
Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs):
What is Benzodiazepines?
(Lorazepam, Diazepam)
o First-line for acute seizures & status epilepticus.
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
o Used for maintenance therapy.
o Requires slow IV infusion in normal saline (NS).
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
o Blocks sodium channels, induces liver enzymes.
o Risk: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Valproic Acid (Depakote)
o Inhibits GABA breakdown, stabilizes membranes.
o Teratogenic (neural tube defects).
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Used for partial seizures, similar to GABA.
What is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?
- Chronic progressive disorder due to dopamine deficiency.
- Symptoms: T.R.A.P. (Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia, Postural instability).
TRB- Tremors, Rigidity, Bradykensia
Levodopa-Carbidopa (Sinemet)
- Levodopa: Converts to dopamine in brain.
- Carbidopa: Prevents breakdown before crossing blood-brain barrier.
Selegiline (MAOI-B Inhibitor)
- Inhibits dopamine breakdown.
- Avoid high tyramine foods (aged cheese, wine).
- Amantadine
- Increases dopamine release.
- Effective for 6-12 months.
- Entacapone (COMT Inhibitor)
- Prevents dopamine breakdown.
- Side effect: Urine discoloration.
Psychiatric Medications
-SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine)
-Serotonin Syndrome
-Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs: Amitriptyline, Imipramine)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs: Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine)
Benzodiazepines (Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine)
- Inhibit serotonin reuptake → increases mood.
- Fewer side effects than TCAs & MAOIs.
Serotonin Syndrome
- Occurs with SSRI + MAOI interaction
- Symptoms: Hyperthermia, tremors, shivering, confusion.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs: Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine)
- Severe interaction with tyramine foods → Hypertensive crisis.
Benzodiazepines (Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
- First-line for anxiety & seizure disorders.
- Antidote: Flumazenil.
Lithium (Mood Stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder)
- Narrow therapeutic range: 0.6–1.2 mmol/L.
- Toxicity: Tremors, confusion, seizures.
