McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

23

Antiseizure agents

Learning objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Define the terms generalised seizure, tonic–clonic seizure, absence seizure, partial seizure and status epilepticus. 2. Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with each class of antiseizure agents. 3. Discuss the use of antiepileptic drugs across the lifespan. 4. Compare and contrast the prototype drugs for each class of antiepileptic drug with the other drugs in that class and with drugs from the other classes. 5. Outline the care considerations and teaching needs for people receiving each class of antiepileptic agents.

Test your current knowledge of antiseizure agents with a PrepU Practice Quiz!

Glossary of key terms absence seizure: type of generalised seizure that is characterised by sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, sometimes with staring or blinking for 3 to 5 seconds; formerly known as a petit mal seizure antiepileptic: drug used to treat the abnormal and excessive energy bursts in the brain that are characteristic of epilepsy convulsion: tonic–clonic muscular reaction to excessive electrical energy arising from nerve cells in the brain epilepsy: collection of various syndromes, all of which are characterised by seizures generalised seizure: seizure that begins in one area of the brain and rapidly spreads throughout both hemispheres partial seizures: also called focal seizures; seizures involving one area of the brain that do not spread throughout the entire organ seizure: sudden discharge of excessive electrical energy from nerve cells in the brain status epilepticus: state in which seizures rapidly recur; most severe form of generalised seizure tonic–clonic seizure: type of generalised seizure that is characterised by serious clonic–tonic muscular reactions and loss of consciousness, with exhaustion and little memory of the event on awakening; formerly known as a grand mal seizure

DRUGS FOR TREATING GENERALISED SEIZURES

Benzodiazepines clonazepam diazepam Succinimides ethosuximide Drugs that modulate the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA acetazolamide sodium valproate

vigabatrin zonisamide

oxcarbazepine pregabalin tiagabine topiramate

Hydantoins phenytoin Barbiturates and barbiturate- like drugs phenobarbitone primidone

DRUGS FOR TREATING PARTIAL SEIZURES carbamazepine

gabapentin lacosamide lamotrigine levetiracetam