Epilepsy and Seizure Definitions Quiz

The text discusses various drugs used to treat seizures, with a focus on those that potentiate the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and miscellaneous GABA agents are mentioned as examples of drugs that change GABA's action, leading to an influx of chloride ions and suppression of abnormal neuron firing

Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital and primidone, have a low therapeutic index, a high potential for dependence, and cause profound CNS depression. They are primarily used for controlling seizures, but not for absence seizures

Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, clobazam, and clonazepam, are safer than barbiturates and primarily used for short-term seizure control. They have adverse effects including drowsiness and dizziness, but not dependence

Other GABA-related drugs, such as bine-drugs (ezogabine and tiagabine), in-drugs (gabapentin and pregabalin), and mate-drugs (topiramate), work by different mechanisms and have different uses and adverse effects

Hydantoins and related drugs, such as phenytoin, fosphenytoin, and ethotoin, work by delaying an influx of sodium ions across neuronal membranes, and are useful in treating all types of epilepsy except absence seizures, without the CNS depression or abuse potential associated with barbiturates. They have adverse effects including CNS depression, gingival hyperplasia, skin rash, cardiac dysrhythmias, and hypotension

Phenytoin interacts with many other drugs, including oral anticoagulants, glucocorticoids, antagonists, anti-tuberculin drugs, and food supplements, impairing the efficacy of these drugs

Valproic acid, a hydantoin-like drug, is also used to treat a wide range of seizure types, including absence seizures, with limited CNS depression and additional adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal effects, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and interactions with aspirin, cimetidine, chlorpromazine, erythromycin, felbamate, and phenytoin, as well as concomitant warfarin, aspirin, or alcohol use. Concurrent use of clonazepam may induce absence seizures. Valproic acid lowers the levels of phenytoin and lamotrigine, and is lower when combined with rifampin.

The text discusses various drugs used to treat seizures, with a focus on those that potentiate the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and miscellaneous GABA agents are mentioned as examples of drugs that change GABA's action, leading to an influx of chloride ions and suppression of abnormal neuron firing

Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital and primidone, have a low therapeutic index, a high potential for dependence, and cause profound CNS depression. They are primarily used for controlling seizures, but not for absence seizures

Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, clobazam, and clonazepam, are safer than barbiturates and primarily used for short-term seizure control. They have adverse effects including drowsiness and dizziness, but not dependence

Other GABA-related drugs, such as bine-drugs (ezogabine and tiagabine), in-drugs (gabapentin and pregabalin), and mate-drugs (topiramate), work by different mechanisms and have different uses and adverse effects

Hydantoins and related drugs, such as phenytoin, fosphenytoin, and ethotoin, work by delaying an influx of sodium ions across neuronal membranes, and are useful in treating all types of epilepsy except absence seizures, without the CNS depression or abuse potential associated with barbiturates. They have adverse effects including CNS depression, gingival hyperplasia, skin rash, cardiac dysrhythmias, and hypotension

Phenytoin interacts with many other drugs, including oral anticoagulants, glucocorticoids, antagonists, anti-tuberculin drugs, and food supplements, impairing the efficacy of these drugs

Valproic acid, a hydantoin-like drug, is also used to treat a wide range of seizure types, including absence seizures, with limited CNS depression and additional adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal effects, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and interactions with aspirin, cimetidine, chlorpromazine, erythromycin, felbamate, and phenytoin, as well as concomitant warfarin, aspirin, or alcohol use. Concurrent use of clonazepam may induce absence seizures. Valproic acid lowers the levels of phenytoin and lamotrigine, and is lower when combined with rifampin.