Seizure Medications Overview

Hydantoins stabilize nerve membranes by influencing ionic channels, decreasing excitability and hyperexcitability to stimulation.

Severe liver toxicity, bone marrow suppression, gingival hyperplasia, and dermatological reactions are possible side effects.

Barbiturates inhibit impulse conduction in the ascending RAS, depress the cerebral cortex, and alter cerebellar functions, depressing motor nerve output. They also stabilize nerve membranes.

Physical dependence, withdrawal syndrome, severe dermatological reactions, and drug tolerance are potential side effects.

Seizures are most commonly related to central nervous system (CNS) depression and/or cellular toxicity.

Hydantoins, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines are types of medications commonly used to manage conditions related to seizures, particularly epilepsy.

Monitoring vital signs and having resuscitation equipment readily available is crucial while administering seizure medications.

Benzodiazepines, a class of medications, have a role in managing conditions related to seizures.

Drugs that affect the neurotransmitter GABA, which is crucial for inhibitory functions in the brain

Drugs used to treat anxiety, often by enhancing GABAergic activity in the brain.

Alprazolam (Xanax) primarily affects the CNS, enhancing GABA activity and mitigating anxiety

Drugs that treat seizures by various mechanisms, often relating to reducing abnormal brain activity and potentially increasing GABA.

Valproic acid (Depakote) reduces abnormal electrical activity in the brain, possibly increasing GABA to control seizures.

Valproic acid (Depakote) may cause liver issues, high ammonia levels, low platelets, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), or a rash (DRESS).

Levetiracetam's exact way of controlling seizures is not entirely clear.

Zonisamide can cause bone issues during development, kidney stones, and stomach problems.

Drugs that influence the neurotransmitter GABA, which plays a key role in inhibiting brain activity.

These drugs are often used to manage anxiety disorders, seizures, and even bipolar disorders.

They enhance the effects of GABA, increasing its inhibitory actions and leading to a calming effect.

Primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS), enhancing GABA activity and reducing anxiety.

Its exact mechanism of action is not entirely understood, but it effectively controls seizures.

Hydantoins directly stabilize nerve membranes by interfering with ionic channels. This reduces excitability and prevents abnormal electrical signals in the brain.

Barbiturates work by inhibiting nerve impulses in the brain's activating system (RAS). They also suppress the cerebral cortex and alter cerebellar function.

Hydantoins can cause severe liver toxicity, suppress bone marrow, lead to gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia), and potentially serious skin reactions.

Barbiturates can cause physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, severe skin reactions, and tolerance, meaning you may need increasing doses over time.

Phenytoin is a hydantoin drug used to treat seizures by stabilizing nerve membranes.

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate that stabilizes nerve membranes and is commonly used to manage seizures.

Patients on seizure medications need close monitoring of their vital signs because the medications can have significant side effects, especially affecting their heart, breathing, and blood.

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that can help manage seizures. They help enhance the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, to suppress abnormal brain activity.

Commonly used for anxiety disorders, seizures, and even bipolar disorders, by enhancing GABA's calming effect on the brain.

Hydantoins, like Phenytoin (Dilantin), work by stabilizing nerve membranes. They achieve this by interfering with ionic channels within the cell membranes, reducing excessive nerve activity and preventing seizures.

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs used to treat seizures. They belong to a group called GABA modulators. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and benzodiazepines enhance its effects, calming brain activity to control seizures.

Patients on seizure medications need close monitoring of their vital signs. This is crucial because these drugs can cause significant side effects, especially affecting the heart, breathing, and blood.

Epilepsy, a condition causing seizures, is treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These drugs aim to reduce the abnormal electrical activity in the brain, preventing seizures.

AEDs work by various mechanisms. Some, like Hydantoins or Barbiturates, directly stabilize nerve membranes. Others, like Benzodiazepines, increase GABA levels to inhibit brain activity.

Drugs that influence GABA, the neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity.

They enhance GABA activity in the brain, leading to a calming effect.

Primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS) by enhancing GABA activity and reducing anxiety.

They reduce abnormal brain activity, often by increasing GABA levels.

Reduces abnormal electrical activity in the brain, possibly by increasing GABA levels, to control seizures.

Its exact mechanism of action isn't fully understood, but it effectively controls seizures.