What are the types of drugs used to manage seizures?
- anticonvulsants - meds that stop/prevent a seizure (usually given IM or IV)
- antiepileptics - prophylactic meds for prevention of epilepsy induced seizures (usually PO)
Name the hydantoin drugs?
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- ethotoin (Peganone)
- mephenytoin (Mesantoin)
- fosphenytoin (Cerebrex)
What are hydantoin drugs used for?
used in several types of epilepsy
What are the actions of hydantoin drugs?
- produces little sedation
- decreases Na+ ion levels in nerve cells (prolong Na+ inactivity via Na+/K+/Ca++ channels)
- decrease excitability, decrease likelihood to fire
- increase GABA release
- decrease glutamate release (excitatory transmitter)
What are the actions of valproic acid (Depakene, Epival, divalproex)?
- produces little sedation
- decrease Na+ ion levels in nerve cells
- decrease excitability, decrease likelihood to fire
- increase GABA release
- block excitatory glutamate receptors (increase GABA effect)
What can valproic acid (Depakene, Epival, divalproex) be used for?
all types of epilepsy
What can carbamazepine (Tegretol) be used in and what are the actions?
- used in several types of epilepsy
- decreases Na+ ion levels in nerve cells
Name common antiepileptic drugs used to prevent tonic-clonic & partial seizures?
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- phenobarbital (Phenobarb)
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- topiramate (Topamax)
- valproic acid, divalproex (Depakene, Epival)
Name common antiepileptic drugs used to prevent absence seizures?
- valproic acid, divalproex (Depakene, Epival)
- clonazepam (Rivotril)
Name common antiepileptic drugs used to prevent partial seizures?
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- phenobarbital (Phenobarb)
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- topiramate (Topamax)
- valproic acid, divalproex (Depakene, Epival)
Name common antiepileptic drugs used to prevent status epilepticus?
- clonazepam (Rivotril)
- diazepam (Valium) (hospital)
- midazolam (Versed) (pre-hospital)