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Title: anticonvulsives-170928221515


1
Antiseizure Drugs
Ms. K.D.S.V. Karunanayaka (B.Pharm) Department
of Pharmacy Faculty of Health Sciences The Open
University Sri Lanka
2
Out line
  • Epilepsy
  • Anatomy of Brain
  • Diagnosis triggers
  • Classification of epilepsy
  • Common drugs used to treat epilepsy

3
Causes of seizure
  • Infection, such as encephalitis or meningitis
  • Fever leading to febrile convulsions
  • Metabolic disturbances
  • Withdrawal from drugs (anticonvulsants,
    antidepressants, and sedatives such as alcohol,
    barbiturates, and benzodiazepines,)
  • Space-occupying lesions in the brain (abscesses,
    tumors)
  • Seizures during (or shortly after) pregnancy can
    be a sign of eclampsia.
  • Haemorrhagic stroke
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Flickering lights, (sunlight, TV, computers etc)
  • Arterio-venous malformation (AVM)
  • Head injury may cause non-epileptic
    post-traumatic seizures or post-traumatic
    epilepsy, in which the seizures chronically
    recur.
  • Intoxication with drugs, for example
    aminophylline or local anesthetics.
  • Normal doses of certain drugs that lower the
    seizure threshold, such as tricyclic
    antidepressants.

4
Disorders that mimic epilepsy

Gastro-oesophageal reflux Breath holding spells
Migraine Sleep disorders
Cardiovascular events (cardiac arrhythmias) Movement disorders (shuddering attacks)
Psychological disorders (panic or hyperventilation attacks) Psychological disorders (panic or hyperventilation attacks)
Diagnosis and Investigation of Epilepsy
Clinical features description of seizure Family history
EEG (electroencephalogram) ECG (electrocardiogram)
Neurological examinations Neuroimaging
Blood count and plasma biochemistry
5
Types of Epilepsy
  • Tonic Stiffening of the body
  • Clonic Rhythmic jerking movements or convulsions
    (Clonic phase)

6
Types of Epilepsy
  • Tonic phase
  • The person will quickly lose consciousness, and
    the skeletal muscles will suddenly tense, often
    causing the extremities to be pulled towards the
    body or rigidly pushed away from it, which will
    cause the person to fall if standing.
  • The tonic phase is usually the shortest part of
    the seizure, usually lasting only a few seconds.
  • The person may also express vocalizations like a
    loud moan during the tonic stage, due to air
    forcefully expelled from the lungs.

7
Types of Epilepsy
  • Clonic phase
  • The person's muscles will start to contract and
    relax rapidly, causing convulsions.
  • These may range from exaggerated twitches of the
    limbs to violent shaking or vibrating of the
    stiffened extremities.
  • The person may roll and stretch as the seizure
    spreads.
  • The eyes typically roll back or close and the
    tongue often suffers bruising sustained by
    strong jaw contractions. Incontinence is seen in
    some cases.

8
Classification of Seizures
  • Partial seizures
  • Here localized onset of the attack can be
    identified by clinical observation or EEG
  • Simple partial seizures (no loss of
    consciousness)
  • With motor symptoms
  • With sensory symptoms
  • With autonomic symptoms
  • Only involve one hemisphere

Dependant on which area of the brain
  • Complex partial seizures (loss of consciousness)
  • Simple followed by loss of consciousness
  • Involves limbic systems
  • los of memory
  • Partial seizures secondarily generalized

9
  • Unclassified
  • Classification not possible to problems with
    diagnosis suspected
  • Generalised (affect whole brain with loss of
    consciousness)- grand mal seizure (generalized
    tonic-clonic seizure)
  • Clonic, tonic (1min) or tonic-clonic (2-4min)
    muscle spasm (extensors), respiration stops,
    defecation, urinary incontinence, salivation,
    violent jerks, tongue or cheek may be bitten
  • Two types
  • Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure
  • Secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure

10
Classification of Generalized Seizures
  • Atonic
  • loss of muscle tone/strength (postural tone), the
    patient may fall suddenly to the floor and may
    be injured
  • Many patients with this seizure wear helmet to
    prevent the head injury
  • Infantile spasm
  • It is an epileptic syndrome
  • Characterized by brief, recurrent myoclonic jerks
    of the body with sudden flexion or extension of
    the body and limbs
  • Myoclonic jerking
  • Seizures of a muscle or group of muscles
  • This has been seen in wide variety of seizure
  • Absence (petit mal seizures)
  • Abrupt loss of awareness of surroundings, little
    motor disturbance, mostly children, mild clonic
    jerking of the eyelid or extremities
  • It may occur 100 times a day
  • Onset is 10 seconds (maximum up to 45 seconds)

11
Choices of Treatment
Seizure type 1st line drug choice 2nd line drug choice
Partial Carbamazepine Phenytoin, Valproate Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbitone, valproate
Generalised tonic-clonic
Sodium Valproate Carbamazepine
Phenytoin Phenobarbitone Lamotrigine,
Levetiracetam,
Absence Sodium Valproate Clonazepam, Lamotrigine
Myoclonic Sodium Valproate
Clonazepam, Levetiracetam, Phenobarbitone
12
Pathological Basis of seizure
  • Abnormal electrical discharge in the brain.
  • Coordinated activity among neurons depends on a
    controlled balance between excitation and
    inhibition.
  • Any local imbalance will lead to a seizure.
  • Imbalances occur between glutamate-mediated
    excitatory neurotransmission and
    gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated
    inhibitory neurotransmission.
  • Generalised epilepsy is characterised by
    disruption of large scale neuro-networks in the
    higher centres.

13
Pathological Basis of seizure
  • Normal Processes
  • Depolarising Na and Ca ionic current shifts
    are activated by glutamate receptors.
  • Repolarising K currents are mediated by GABA
    receptors
  • Hyperpolarisation is mediated by GABAa
    receptors creating an influx of Cl- gt
    inhibition of impulse generation.
  • In epilepsy
  • Any defect causes the neuron to be closer to
    the all or none threshold for an AP
    HYPEREXCITABLE STATE.
  • Leading to instability between excitation and
    inhibition gt Epilepsy.

14
Basis of Pharmacological Mechanism
  • Most anti-epileptic agents act either by blockade
    of depolarisation channels (Na and Ca).
  • Enhancing the activity of GABA (neurotransmission
    inhibition).
  • Reduction of excitatory (glutamatergic)
    transmission.

15
Categories of Anti-epileptic Drugs
  • Classification is based upon chemistry
  • Hydantoins
  • Succinimides
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Barbiturates
  • Miscellaneous

16
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Fosphenytoin is a prodrug given intravenously and
    rapidly converted to phenytoin.
  • Clinical use
  • Use for patients with Tonic-Clonic seizures (both
    partial and generalized seizure).
  • Can be used in the Rx for neuropathic pain and
    cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Therapeutic level will be between 10 and 20
    mcg/ml.
  • Lower dose of 300 mg/d (oral)will give 10 mcg/ml
    which is the usual starting dose.
  • When higher dose required only 25-30 mg should be
    increased slowly.

17
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Mechanism of action
  • It blocks sustained-high frequency repetitive
    firing of action potential.
  • Acts to promote intracellular removal of sodium
    during the refractory period
  • Antagonism (blocking) of Na channels to reduce
    excitability
  • Antagonism of Ca channels
  • This also reduce the calcium dependent release of
    neurotransmitters and hormones.
  • Potentiation (activation) of GABA receptors to
    promote the inhibitory role of GABA.
  • Inhibit the action of glutamate.

18
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Pharmacokinetic
  • Slowly absorbed from gut, use a slow IV if rapid
    action is required
  • Depends on formulation (particle size, additives)
    and dosage form
  • Avoid IM muscle damage
  • Phenytoin might precipitate in muscle tissues
  • Fosphenytoin is more soluble and can be
    administered by IM
  • Highly bound to the plasma protein (90)
  • Distribute well in to the brain, liver, muscle
    and fat
  • Metabolized by hepatic biotransformation (to
    inactive metabolite)
  • Only small amount excreted unchanged

19
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Pharmacokinetic
  • At lower dose elimination follows first order
    process but when dose exceed very high, even
    with small increase in dose can
  • causes the accumulation of drug (steady state
    wont be achieved).
  • Therefore half-life is dose dependent (lower to
    middle dose 12 to 36 hours higher dose gt2
    days.
  • Can measure amount of free agent in the saliva.

20
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Adverse effects
  • Nystagmus, Impaired brainstem cerebellar
    function (dizziness, tremor, nervousness,
    blurred vision), ataxia, diplopia, sedation,
  • Chronic congestive tissue defects (gingival
    hyperplasia, acne, hirutism)
  • Skin rashes, and other hypersensitivity
    reactions, nausea vomiting
  • Folic acid and Vit. D deficiency (increase
    metabolism) which may leads to megaloblastic
    anemia and osteomalacia

21
Phenytoin (Dilantin-Diphenylhydantoin)
  • Contraindications and drug interactions
  • Increases metabolism (inducer) of the
    contraceptive pill, anti- coagulants, and
    pethidine.
  • INH inhibit the metabolism of phenytoin.
  • Carbamazepine and phenobarbital increase the
    metabolism of phenytoin.
  • Displacement drugs such as phenybutazone and
    sulfonamides can displace phenytoin from its
    binding site.
  • Decrease in concentration of plasma protein
    (hypoalbuminemia) reduce the total plasma
    concentration of phenytoin but not the free drug.

22
Mephenytoin, Ethotoin, Phenacemide
  • They are congeners of phenytoin.
  • They have similar actions to phenytoin and share
    common pharmacological properties.
  • Patients who are allergic to phenytoin can be
    given ethotoin.
  • Mephenytoin is metabolized to 5, 5 ethylphenyl
    hydantoin which produce anti-seizure activity.

23
Succinimides
  • Ethosuximide, phensuximide, methsuximide
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Acts by antagonising Ca channels in the
    thalamocortical relay neurons gt prevention of
    synchronised neuronal firing gt raising AP
    threshold.
  • Reduces the low-threshold (T-type) current as a
    result of the calcium channel blockade.
  • Clinical uses
  • Use for patients with absence seizures.
  • Has very narrow spectrum of clinical activity.

24
Succinimides
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Almost complete absorption from the gut, peak
    level observed at 3-7 hours, not bound to
    proteins.
  • Extensive metabolism in the liver with a long
    half-life (2-3 days).
  • Plasma and salivary concentrations correlate well
    for monitoring purposes.
  • To achieve a therapeutic level of 60-100 mcg/mL,
    a dose of 750-1500 mg/d is necessary. Level up
    to 125 mcg/mL is tolerated.

25
Succinimides Ethosuximide
  • Adverse effects
  • Pain, Nausea, vomiting and anorexia
  • Cerebellar disturbance (drowsiness, dizziness,
    photophobia, headache, depression), hiccup,
    euphoria
  • Skin irritation
  • Agranulocytosis is rare but could occur
  • Contraindications
  • may make tonic-clonic seizures worse
  • Valproic acid inhibit the metabolism of this drug
    and hence increase its half-life
  • Not to be used when pregnant (teratogencity)
  • Phensuximide and methsuximide are rarely used
    owing to their toxicity profile and less efficacy

26
Benzodiazepines
  • Act by potentiating the actions of GABA causing
    neurotransmission inhibition (primarily in the
    CNS).
  • Can be used to induce sleep (high dose),
    anticonvulsant therapy and reduction in muscle
    tone.
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Well absorbed from the gut, Lipid soluble to
    ensure ready penetration of the blood brain
    barrier, Slow elimination from body.
  • Metabolised in the liver to create active agents
    (prolonged therapeutic action).
  • Adverse effects
  • Drowsiness, light-headness, confusion, Impaired
    memory, Muscle weakness.
  • Tolerance (very common), Dependence withdrawal
    effects could last up to 3 weeks.

27
Barbiturates Phenobarbital
  • Used for tonic-clonic seizures (partial and
    generalized).
  • Mechanism of action
  • Act by increasing the duration of Cl- ion channel
    opening by activating neuronal GABAa receptors.
  • Causing hyperpolarisation of the AP, making it
    less likely to fire again
  • Essentially, acts like GABA and can even
    potentiate the effects of GABA when present.
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Almost complete absorption.
  • Elimination is by heptic and renal (25 excreted
    unchanged).
  • Biotransformed in the liver into 2 active
    metabolites.
  • Plasma concentrations relate poorly to seizure
    control, use only for monitoring of patient
    compliance.

28
Barbiturates Phenobarbital
  • Therapeutic level range from 10-40 mcg/mL
  • Adverse effects
  • CNS effects (sedation and fatigue)
  • Restlessness/Hyperactivity
  • Folate deficiency
  • Tolerance
  • Dependence with physical withdrawal reactions.
  • Adverse drug-drug reactions (contraception and
    warfarin).
  • Contraindications
  • Do not use with patients with respiratory
    depression, children or elderly.

29
Primidone
  • Primidone is metabolized (by oxidation) to
    phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide
    (PEMA)-All these are active compounds.
  • In infants the drug is slowly metabolized.
  • Action is much similar to phenytoin.
  • It is effective against partial and generalize
    seizures.
  • Completely absorbed orally, Vd0.6 L/kg, 70 of
    the drug unbound to plasma proteins.
  • Half-life 6-8 hours.
  • Therapeutic level is 8-12 mcg/mL (dose f 10-20
    mg/kg/d is necessary to achieve this level).
  • Adverse effects are dose related and resemble
    phenobarbitals adverse effects.

30
Carbamazepine
  • Structurally similar to imipramine (tricyclic
    antidepressant).
  • Effective in treatment of bipolar depression.
  • Also used in most epilepsy types.
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Not fully understood
  • But believed to be related to antagonist action
    of Na channels to inhibit high frequency
    repetitive neuronal firing.
  • Decreasing the production (or release) of
    glutamate (excitatory chemical).
  • Clinical uses
  • In partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
  • Can also be used in the Rx of neuropathic pain.
  • Non-sedative action.

31
Carbamazepine
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Slow and incomplete absorption. Taking after meal
    is recommended for larger doses
  • Distribution is slow (Vd1L/Kg), 70 bound to
    plasma protein, no displacement
  • occur
  • Metabolised in the liver creates an epoxide
    metabolite that can have a weak therapeutic
    effect, carbamazepine is an enzyme inducer
  • Relatively long half-life (1-2 days)
  • Potency decreases overtime therefore need to
    increase dose to ensure adequate control of
    seizures
  • Plasma and salivary concentrations correlate well
    to clinical effectiveness
  • Available only in oral form for decades
  • IV preparations have been introduced recently
    (Using cyclodextrins)
  • Drug is effective in children and dose is
    15-25mg/kg/d, adults 1-2 g/d is tolerated
    usually in multiple doses.
  • Extended release preparations are available that
    will reduce the frequency to twice a day

32
Carbamazepine
  • Adverse effects
  • Nausea vomiting (especially early Rx),
    constipation, diarrhoea and anorexia
  • Skin irritation
  • CNS toxicity dizzy, drowsy, confusion,
    diplopia, ataxia
  • Bone marrow depression (very rare include
    aplastic anemia, granulocytopenia), hyponatremia

33
Carbamazepine
  • Contraindications and drug interactions
  • Enzyme inducer (increase metabolism of primidone,
    phenytoin, ethosuximide, valproic acid,
    clonazepam).
  • Drugs that inhibit carbamazepine clearance and
    metabolism (propoxyphene, valproic acid).
  • Drugs that increases the metabolism of
    Carbamazepine(phenytoin, phenobarbital).

34
Oxcarbazepine
  • Similar in actions and pharmacological properties
    to carbamazepine but have less toxicity.
  • Half life 1-2 hours.
  • Hypersensitivity reaction is very rare and no
    cross-reactivity.
  • Less enzyme induction effect.
  • Hyponatremia is common than carbamazepine.
  • Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite are
    excreted in human breast milk. Because of the
    potential for serious adverse reactions to
    oxcarbazepine in nursing infants, a decision
    should be made about whether to discontinue
    nursing or to discontinue the drug in nursing
    women.

35
Valproic acid and Sodium Valproate
  • It is fully ionized at body pH and
    pharmacological action is produced by valproate
    ion.
  • MoA actions
  • Antagonism of Na and Ca channels-reduce the
    frequency of neuronal firing.
  • Potentiation of GABA (possibly by stimulating
    glutamic acid decarboxylase enzyme, inhibitory
    effect on GABAssss, blocking GABA transaminase).
  • Attenuation of Glutamate.
  • Clinical uses
  • Use in all forms of epilepsy, as it suppresses
    the initial seizure discharge and its spread.
  • Management of bipolar disorders.
  • Migraine prophylaxis.

36
Valproic acid and Sodium Valproate
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Well absorbed from gut (should be taken with food
    to counteract gastric irritation), oral
    bioavailability is 80
  • Food delays the absorption
  • 90 bound to plasma protein, Vd0.15 L/kg,
    distribution is only confined to the water
  • Extensively metabolised in the liver, clearance
    is very quick (9-18 hours of half-life)
  • The tablet of sodium valproate is hygroscopic but
    not magnesium salt, sodium salt preparation also
    available as syrup for pediatric use, enteric
    coated preparation also available
  • Rapidly transported across the blood brain
    barrier
  • Monitor plasma concentration for patient
    compliance only
  • Dosage 25-30 mg/kg/d up to or more than
    60/mg/kg/d also required in some cases
  • Therapeutic level is around 50-100 mcg/mL

37
Valproic acid and Sodium Valproate
  • Adverse effects
  • GI upset (Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal
    pain and diarrhoea)
  • Weight gain (appetite stimulation)
  • Transient hair loss
  • Fine tremor at higher dose
  • Coma (rare)
  • Thrombocytopenia (platelets)
  • Oedema
  • Severe hepatotoxicity (liver damage)-deaths have
    been reported
  • Some clinicians start oral or IV L-carnitine once
    they suspect severe hepatitis.
  • Careful monitoring of liver function is
    necessary.
  • Rarely spina bifida in the off-spring.

38
Valproic acid and Sodium Valproate
  • Contraindications
  • People with liver damage or a history hepatic
    dysfunction.
  • Drug interactions
  • Protein binding displacement, enzyme inhibitor
    and inhibit the metabolism of phenobarbital,
    phenytoin, carbamazepine.

39
Vigabatrin
  • Only used in conjunction with other agents when
    patient becomes resistant (due to tolerance) or
    poorly tolerates
  • Effective in partial epilepsy but with restricted
    use due to severe adverse effects (vision)
  • Mechanism of Action
  • It is an irreversible inhibitor of GABA
    aminotransferase (GABA-T). This enzyme is
    responsible for the degradation of GABA.
  • Increases the release of GABA and more GABA
    available to inhibit neuron transmission.

40
Vigabatrin
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Rapidly absorbed from the gut, usual oral dose
    is 500 mg bd
  • Excreted unchanged by renal processes
  • Intermediate half-life (6-8 hrs)
  • Blood concentrations are of no value.
  • Adverse effects
  • Sedation, fatigue, dizziness, nervousness,
    irritability, depression, impaired
    concentration, tremor (CNS effects)
  • Psychotic reactions (check patient history)
  • Visual defects after prolonged use
  • Weight gain and oedema

41
Lamotrigine
  • Used for partial seizures in adults only (focal
    epilepsy).
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Acts by the inhibition (antagonism) of neuronal
    Na channels but is highly selective (only
    neurons that synthesise glutamate and aspartate)
    and reduce the frequency of voltage firing
  • Additionally, decrease glutamate release
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • well absorbed, well distributed, protein binding
    is only about 55, extensively metabolised in
    the liver and has a long half-life.
  • Half-life is 24 hours.

42
Lamotrigine
  • Adverse effects
  • Fever, influenza-like symptoms
  • Skin irritation
  • GI disturbances (vomiting, diarrhoea)
  • CNS effects (drowsiness, headache, dizziness,
    double vision)
  • Contraindications
  • Patients with hepatic impairment

43
Gabapentin and Pregabalin
  • Used for partial seizures in adults (Gabapentin
    2400 mg/d, Pregabalin 150 mg/d to 600 mg/d in
    divided dose).
  • They are also useful in neuropathic pain (
    Gabapentin 1800 mg/d).
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Designed to be a structural analogue of GABA but
    it does not mimic GABA in the brain.
  • Increases the synthesis and release of GABA.
  • Decrease degradation of GABA.
  • Inhibition of Ca channels and inhibit the
    release of glutamate.

44
Gabapentin and Pregabalin
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Incompletely absorbed in the gut, Excreted
    unchanged via kidney processes
  • Short half-life, Gabapentin dose of up to 4800
    mg/d is tolerated
  • Adverse effects
  • CNS effects (dizzy, drowsy, fatigue, headache,
    double visions)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Contraindication
  • Be careful with sudden withdrawal in the elderly
    due to kidney effects and alterations in
    acid-base balance.

45
Miscellaneous Drugs
  • Felbamate
  • It blocks NMDA receptor and potentiate GABA
    receptor
  • Effective in partial seizure
  • But it causes aplastic anemia and severe
    hepatitis
  • Levetiracetam
  • It modifies the release of glutamate and GABA by
    acting on the synaptic vesicular function
  • Used in partial seizure
  • Tiagabine
  • It is a GABA reuptake inhibitor
  • Adjunctive treatment of partial seizure

46
Miscellaneous Drugs
  • Topiramate
  • Block the sodium channel and reduce the frequency
    of neuronal firing
  • It also potentiate the GABA action
  • It is effective against both partial and
    generalized tonic-clonic seizure
  • Zonisamide
  • It blocks sodium and calcium channels
  • Effective against both partial and generalized
    seizures
  • Trimethadione
  • Acetazolamide

47
FDA Alert
Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine,
Levetiracetam Now all have FDA Alert Suicidal
Behaviour and Ideation and Antiepileptic
Drugs The association is controversial and the
benefits will often outweigh the risks in
epilepsy the riskbenefit may be less certain in
other conditions. www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/08
/briefing/2008-4372b1-01-FDA.
48
Other risks
  • Fracture risk
  • Patients with epilepsy are at increased risk of
    fractures as a result of
  • Falls due to seizures.
  • Adverse effects of antiepileptics, Ex- reduced
    BMD (particularly with barbiturates,
    carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproate) and CNS
    effects that increase risk of falling.
  • Consider fall prevention strategies and BMD
    monitoring during long- term treatment ensure
    adequate vitamin D and calcium intake.

49
Special areas for considerations for AEMs
  • Status epilepticus
  • Epilepsy in women

50
Epilepsy in Women
  • Women of child-bearing age
  • Discuss possibility of pregnancy before selecting
    an AEM.
  • Risks of unplanned treatment withdrawal.
  • Contraception
  • Several AEMs (carbamazepine, phenytoin,
    barbiturates) induce hepatic enzymes and
    increase metabolism of OCP
  • Use high dose combined oral contraceptive or
    medroxyprogesterone depot but still risk of
    failure.
  • Non-hormonal contraception is preferable.

51
Pregnancy and epilepsy
  • Literature reviews indicate that anticonvulsants
    are associated with an increase in congenital
    defects. However the benefits in preventing
    maternal seizures with the use of medication are
    thought to outweigh the risk to the infant .
  • The use of more than one antiepileptic drug
    carries a higher risk of birth defects.
  • Monitoring anticonvulsant therapy throughout the
    course of the pregnancy will be important, and
    dose adjustments should be made based on serum
    concentration, frequency of seizures, and
    adverse effects/tolerability.

52
Cleft lip and/or palate
53
Neural Tube Defects
54
Pregnancy and epilepsy
  • Treatment aims,
  • Avoid sodium valproate, especially gt1200mg/day.
  • Best choice of treatment is the drug that best
    controls the epilepsy, at the lowest effective
    dose, in monotherapy if possible.
  • Some AEMs interfere with folic acid metabolism,
    -need to supplement with folic acid starting at
    least 1 month before and for 3 months after
    conception at 5mg daily.

55
Role of the Pharmacist
  • Counselling on
  • Importance of compliance. Emphasise that AEDs
    should not be stopped abruptly - increased
    seizures and status epilepticus may occur
  • When withdrawing treatment, reduce the dosage of
    antiepileptic drugs over several weeks to months
  • Adverse drug reactions
  • Monitor outcomes of drug therapy
  • Drug interactions
  • Monitoring
  • Reduce stigmatisation
  • Issues with driving
  • Seizure. 1998 Aug7(4)305-8. Driving and
    epilepsy in Sri Lanka. Seneviratne SL,
    Gunatilake SB, Adhikari AA, De Silva HJ.
    Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
    University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.

56
References
  • Bennet p.n., Brown M.J Sharma P., Clinical
    Pharmacology 11th edition Chapter 21 Page
    349-359.
  • Katzung B.G., Masters S.B Trevor A.J., Basic
    Clinical Pharmacology 12th edition Chapter 27
    Page 399 - 422.

57
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