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Questions and Answers
What is the mechanism of action of hydantoins in treating seizures?
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?
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?
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?
Which antiseizure drug is used to treat absence seizures by decreasing calcium influx through T-type calcium channels?
What potentially toxic interaction can occur when taken with carbamazepine?
What potentially toxic interaction can occur when taken with carbamazepine?
Which antiseizure drug has its safety and efficacy not established for children younger than 2 years of age?
Which antiseizure drug has its safety and efficacy not established for children younger than 2 years of age?
What is a potential risk for pregnant individuals taking antiseizure drugs?
What is a potential risk for pregnant individuals taking antiseizure drugs?
What is the incidence of epilepsy developing in children who have had one or more febrile seizures?
What is the incidence of epilepsy developing in children who have had one or more febrile seizures?
What is status epilepticus considered as?
What is status epilepticus considered as?
What are the pharmacologic agents of choice for treating status epilepticus?
What are the pharmacologic agents of choice for treating status epilepticus?
What do antiseizure drugs tend to act as inhibitors of, contributing to hemorrhage in infants shortly after birth?
What do antiseizure drugs tend to act as inhibitors of, contributing to hemorrhage in infants shortly after birth?
What should pregnant individuals take daily due to increased loss caused by antiseizure drugs?
What should pregnant individuals take daily due to increased loss caused by antiseizure drugs?
What is the main characteristic of seizure disorders?
What is the main characteristic of seizure disorders?
What imaging techniques are useful in diagnosing epilepsy?
What imaging techniques are useful in diagnosing epilepsy?
What percentage of seizure cases are considered primary or idiopathic?
What percentage of seizure cases are considered primary or idiopathic?
Which condition could result in seizures but is not associated with epilepsy?
Which condition could result in seizures but is not associated with epilepsy?
What type of seizures were formerly known as grand mal?
What type of seizures were formerly known as grand mal?
What do antiseizure drugs do to nerve cell membranes?
What do antiseizure drugs do to nerve cell membranes?
What type of disorder could lead to recurrent seizures?
What type of disorder could lead to recurrent seizures?
What type of seizures were formerly known as petit mal?
What type of seizures were formerly known as petit mal?
What age group do the majority of people with epilepsy experience their first seizure?
What age group do the majority of people with epilepsy experience their first seizure?
What is the main role of antiseizure drugs?
What is the main role of antiseizure drugs?
What is the main cause of secondary seizure cases?
What is the main cause of secondary seizure cases?
What is the main characteristic of tonic–clonic seizures?
What is the main characteristic of tonic–clonic seizures?
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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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