What are antiepileptics?
Antiepileptic medications work in different ways to prevent seizures, either by decreasing excitation or enhancing inhibition. Specifically, they act by either: Altering electrical activity in neurons by affecting ion (sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride) channels in the cell membrane.
What is anticonvulsant write their classification?
Terminology. Anticonvulsants are more accurately called antiepileptic drugs (abbreviated “AEDs”), and are often referred to as antiseizure drugs because they provide symptomatic treatment only and have not been demonstrated to alter the course of epilepsy.
Which medications are classified as antiepileptics?
Summary of Antiepileptic Drugs
| Narrow-spectrum AEDs: | Broad-spectrum AEDs: |
|---|---|
| – carbamazepine (Tegretol) | – topiramate (Topamax) |
| – oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) | – zonisamide (Zonegran) |
| – gabapentin (Neurontin) | – levetiracetam (Keppra) |
| – pregabalin (Lyrica) | – clonazepam (Klonopin) |
What type of infection causes seizures?
Bacterial infections as a cause of epilepsy
- Acute bacterial meningitis.
- Intracranial abscesses.
- Intracranial empyemas.
- CNS tuberculosis.
- Parasitic infections as a cause of epilepsy.
- Neurocysticercosis (NCC)
- Cerebral malaria.
- Onchocerciasis.
What are anticonvulsants and examples?
Hydantoin anticonvulsants work by blocking sodium channels and slowing nerve impulses through these channels. Hydantoin anticonvulsants are used to treat many different types of seizures. Examples of hydantoin anticonvulsants include Dilantin (phenytoin), Peganone (ethotoin), and Sesquient (fosphenytoin).
Can bacterial meningitis cause seizures?
During the early stages of bacterial meningitis, seizures may result from swelling and pressure in the brain, as well as bacterial toxins in the fluid surrounding the brain. As the meningitis infection progresses, there may be focal seizures, seizures that involve one limb or one part of the body.
Can E coli cause seizures?
Coli O157. HUS is the most significant complication of infection by E. Coli O157 and can occur when the infection causes the kidneys to fail. HUS can lead to very serious complications including high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, seizures, coma, and, in severe cases, brain damage.
Is phenobarbital an anticonvulsant?
Our results demonstrate that phenobarbital protects against seizures and neuropathology in the DFP model. This study found phenobarbital to be a highly effective anticonvulsant against the refractory SE caused by DFP exposure, but was associated with reduced survival rate at higher doses.
How do Hydantoins work?
Hydantoins reduce seizures by targeting the sodium channel present throughout the nerves. Activation of sodium channels results in the conduction of electrical impulses and the release of neurotransmitters. Higher conduction of electrical impulses can result in higher seizure activity.
How many risk-based categories of antiepileptic drugs are there?
In addition to the 3 risk-based categories of antiepileptic drugs, patient-related factors should be considered when deciding whether it is necessary to maintain continuity of supply for a specific product.
Do clinical laboratories perform therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs?
Author: Matthew D. Krasowski, MD, PhD // Date: JUN.1.2013 // Source: Clinical Laboratory News Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to treat seizure disorders are today among the most common medications for which clinical laboratories perform therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) ( 1, 2 ).
What are some antiepileptic drugs affecting Glutamate ionotropic receptors?
Some antiepileptic drugs affecting glutamate ionotropic receptors are used in human medicine-e.g., felbamate (among other mechanisms of action antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors [2]) and perampanel-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist [3].
What is epiepilepsy?
Epilepsy is defined as a condition characterised by recurrent (two or more) unprovoked seizures. For detailed query about Uses, Side Effects, Contraindications, Interactions of antiepileptic drugs, refer to individual drugs. Disclaimer: Doctoralerts is an educational platform. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.