Antiseizure Drugs Key Points

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Questions and Answers

What is the mechanism of action of hydantoins in treating seizures?

Increasing GABA activity

Suppressing calcium influx

Suppressing sodium influx (correct)

Reducing repetitive neuronal firing

Why should phenytoin not be used during pregnancy?

It increases the risk of maternal seizures

It inhibits GABA activity in the fetus

It reduces calcium influx in the fetus

It can cause teratogenic effects on the fetus (correct)

What is the therapeutic serum range for phenobarbital?

40–100 mcg/mL

4–12 mcg/mL

15–40 mcg/mL (correct)

10–20 mcg/mL

Which antiseizure drug is used to treat absence seizures by decreasing calcium influx through T-type calcium channels?

Ethosuximide Signup and view all the answers

What potentially toxic interaction can occur when taken with carbamazepine?

Grapefruit juice Signup and view all the answers

Which antiseizure drug has its safety and efficacy not established for children younger than 2 years of age?

Valproic acid Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk for pregnant individuals taking antiseizure drugs?

Congenital malformations in the fetus Signup and view all the answers

What is the incidence of epilepsy developing in children who have had one or more febrile seizures?

Approximately 2.5% Signup and view all the answers

What is status epilepticus considered as?

A continuous seizure state Signup and view all the answers

What are the pharmacologic agents of choice for treating status epilepticus?

IV administration of phenobarbital followed by IV administration of diazepam Signup and view all the answers

What do antiseizure drugs tend to act as inhibitors of, contributing to hemorrhage in infants shortly after birth?

Vitamin K Signup and view all the answers

What should pregnant individuals take daily due to increased loss caused by antiseizure drugs?

Folate supplements Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of seizure disorders?

Involuntary, uncontrolled movements Signup and view all the answers

What imaging techniques are useful in diagnosing epilepsy?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of seizure cases are considered primary or idiopathic?

75% Signup and view all the answers

Which condition could result in seizures but is not associated with epilepsy?

Fever Signup and view all the answers

What type of seizures were formerly known as grand mal?

Tonic–clonic Signup and view all the answers

What do antiseizure drugs do to nerve cell membranes?

Stabilize them Signup and view all the answers

What type of disorder could lead to recurrent seizures?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What type of seizures were formerly known as petit mal?

Absence Signup and view all the answers

What age group do the majority of people with epilepsy experience their first seizure?

Between 10 and 20 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of antiseizure drugs?

Suppress the abnormal electric impulses in the cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of secondary seizure cases?

Brain trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of tonic–clonic seizures?

Involuntary jerking movements Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mechanism of Action and Contraindications

Hydantoins (e.g., phenytoin) treat seizures by stabilizing neuronal membranes and reducing excessive neuronal activity.
Phenytoin should not be used during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus.

Therapeutic Ranges and Interactions

The therapeutic serum range for phenobarbital is 15-40 μg/mL.
Ethosuximide is used to treat absence seizures by decreasing calcium influx through T-type calcium channels.
A potentially toxic interaction can occur when taking carbamazepine with other medications.

Antiseizure Drugs and Safety

The safety and efficacy of felbamate have not been established for children younger than 2 years of age.
Pregnant individuals taking antiseizure drugs have a higher risk of birth defects.

Epilepsy and Seizures

The incidence of epilepsy developing in children who have had one or more febrile seizures is 2-7%.
Status epilepticus is considered a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Pharmacologic agents of choice for treating status epilepticus include benzodiazepines, phenytoin, and barbiturates.

Antiseizure Drugs and Hemorrhage

Antiseizure drugs can act as inhibitors of vitamin K, contributing to hemorrhage in infants shortly after birth.
Pregnant individuals should take vitamin K supplements daily to prevent increased bleeding.

Characteristics of Seizure Disorders

The main characteristic of seizure disorders is recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Imaging techniques such as EEG, CT, and MRI are useful in diagnosing epilepsy.
70% of seizure cases are considered primary or idiopathic.

Types of Seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures were formerly known as grand mal seizures.
Absence seizures were formerly known as petit mal seizures.
Antiseizure drugs increase the threshold for nerve cell membrane excitability.

Age and Seizures

The majority of people with epilepsy experience their first seizure between the ages of 10 and 20.

Role of Antiseizure Drugs

The main role of antiseizure drugs is to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Causes of Seizures

The main cause of secondary seizure cases is head trauma.
Epilepsy is a type of disorder that can lead to recurrent seizures.
Infections, such as meningitis, could result in seizures but are not associated with epilepsy.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key points about antiseizure drugs and seizure disorders. This quiz covers the diagnosis, characteristics, and causes of seizure disorders.