Week 1 Antiepileptic 3 of 4 Flashcards
Plasma protein binding of valproic acid?
> 80%
peak plasma concentration of valproic acid occurs in how many hours?
1-4 hours
What route is valproic acid known to have prompt absorption?
PO
Therapeutic plasma concentration of valproic acid is ?
50-100mcg/ml
What is a better determinant of valproic acids therapeutic concentration (compared to plasma concentration?)
clinical condition may be a better determinant of therapeutic concentration.
What are the side effects of valproic acid?
anorexia n/v
fine distal tremor seen in higher doses
thrombocytopenia seen frequently at higher doses
What is the issue with valproic acid and and children under 2 years of age?
Most serious side effect is hepatotoxicity occuring in around 0.2% of children 2 years old who are treated chronically. This is potentially fatal. Hepatic necrosis decreases dramatically after 2 years of age.
What are two infrequent side effects with valproic acid? (you see these side effects with other seizure medications but not valproic acid)
sedation and ataxia is not seen with valproic acid.
Because this medication is partially eliminated as a ketone containing metabolite, may have a false positive ketone result, what medication does this describe?
valproic acid
What can valproic acid do to phenytoin and diazepam?
can displace phenytoin and diazepam from protein binding sites resulting in increased pharmacologic effects produced by displaced drug.
What does valproic acid do to the plasma concentration of phenobarbital?
increases it by around 50%
Does valproic acid interfere with the action of oral contraceptives?
NO!
What is Parkinson’s dz and who does it effect?
Results from loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of basal ganglia.
Effects roughly 1% of population usually greater than 60 years old.
What is a consistent feature found in the substantia nigra region of patient’s with parkinson’s dz?
Lewy Bodies
what type of neurotransmitter is dopamine and acetylcholine?
dopamine is thought to act principally as an inhibitory NT.
acetylcholine is thought to be an excitatory NT
Where is roughly 80% of the dopamine in the brain found?
basal ganglia, mostly in the caudate nucleus and putamen.
In patient’s with Parkinson’s dz the basal ganglia content of dopamine may be as low as what?
10% of normal
What happens to people who have super low dopamine in their brain?
an excess of excitatory cholinergic activity manifesting as progressive tremor, skeletal muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and disturbances of posture result.
What is the objective in treatment of Parkinson’s dz?
to treat debilitating symptoms. Current meds are palliative and do not affect the progression of the dz. Treatments are selected based on age and severity of symptoms.
When is pharmacologic treatment started for a parkinson’s patient?
when motor symptoms become bothersome.
Other than treatment aimed at addressing motor symptoms in Parkinson’s patients, treatment will also be addressing other adverse effects: what would these other adverse effects be?
nausea depression autonomic disturbances cognitive impairment medication related side effects
True or False
Dopamine readily crosses the BBB?
False, it does NOT readily cross the BBB. This is why Levodopa is used (precursor to dopamine) because it can cross the BBB. Other drugs that mimic the action of dopamine can also be used.
What is levodopa usually administered with?
a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa or benserazide) This medication maximizes the entrance of levodopa into the brain before it is converted to dopamine.
What medication is considered the cornerstone of symptomatic therapy for Parkinson’s dz?
Levodopa
What converts levodopa to dopamine? (think enzyme)
L-amino-acid decarboxylase (dopa decxarboxylase enzyme)
What replenishes dopamine stores in the basal ganglia?
Levodopa
Tell me what Decarboxylase inhibitor does?
maximize entrance of levodopa into the brain before its converted to dopamine.
Other than maximizing entrance of levodopa into the brain, what does decarboxylase inhibitors do in relation to side effects of drug treatment for Parkinson’s?
Decarboxylase inhibitors ensure that side effects associated with increased peripheral concentrations of dopamine are lessened.