2. Epilepsy
It is a group of chronic
syndromes that involves
recurrence of seizures,
which may lead to loss of
consciousness, abnormal
movements of shorter
duration but recur if
untreated
Seizures: Limited period of
abnormal discharge of
cerebral neurons
3.
4.
5. Classification of seizures
1. Partial seizures:
Involve only one part of brain
Consciousness is preserved
i. Simple Partial Seizures
Consciousness are normal
ii. Complex Partial seizures
Altered consciousness
6. Generalized Seizures
1. Tonic-clonic seizures:
It is characterized by loss of consciousness
followed by Tonic (continuous contraction) and
clonic (rapid contraction and relaxation phases.
2. Absence seizures:
These are characterized by brief and abrupt
loss of consciousness
These are begin in childhood and cease by the
age of 20 years
7. 3. Myoclonic Seizures:
These are characterized by single and multiple
myoclonic muscle jerks.
4. Status epilepticus:
Series of seizures without recovery of
consciousness between attacks.
It is life threatening emergency
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10.
11. Anti-epileptic Drugs
Drugs for the treatment of Partial and Tonic-
Clonic Seizures:
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Valproic Acid
Lamotrigene
12. Drugs for the treatment of Absence Seizures:
Ethosuximide
Clonazepam
Valproic Acid
Drugs for the treatment of Myoclonic Seizures:
Lamotrigene
Clonazepam
Valproic Acid
13. Back and Adjunctive Drugs:
Gabapentine
Topiramate
Felbamate
Phenobarbital
Vigabatrine
Zonisamide
14. Treatment strategies
The general effect of anti-epileptic drugs is to
suppress the generation of repetitive action
potential in the epileptic foci in the brain
Different mechanisms are involved in the
achieving this effect
1. By blockage of voltage gated sodium
channels
2. By calcium channel blockage
3. By increasing GABA related effects
15. Carbamazepine
It is related to tricyclic antidepressants
Mechanism of Action:
The general purpose of anti-epileptic drugs is
to suppress the generation of repetitive action
potential in the epileptic foci of brain
Carbamazepine does this by blocking voltage
gated sodium channels that are in inactive
state
Thus they prolong or slow their recovery
16.
17. Uses:
Carbamezepine is used for the treatment of
Partial seizures and tonic-clonic seizures
Adverse affects:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headaches
Allergic reactions
18. Phenytoin
Mechanism of action:
The general purpose of anti-epileptic drugs is to
suppress the generation of repetitive action potential
in the epileptic foci of brain
Phenytoin does this by following mechanisms;
a. By blocking voltage gated sodium channels which
are in their inactive state thus slow their recovery
b. At high conc. Phenytoin can block voltage
gated calcium channels
19. Pharmacokinetics:
Phenytoin is 90% bound to plasma albumin
Clinical uses:
Partial seizures
Generalized tonic clonic seizures
Status epilepticus
20. Adverse effects:
It may cause cardiotoxicity. Fosphenytoin may be
proved safer
Nystagmus (Involuntary movement of eye balls)
Gingival hyperplasia (causes gums to grow over
teeth)
Hirsutism
Long term use may causes osteoporosis
24. Ethosuximide
Mechanism of Action:
Ethosuximide reduce the low threshold
calcium current particularly in thalamic
neurons, without modifying the voltage
dependent inactivation or recovery from
inactivation of sodium channels
Thus they suppress the generation of
repetitive action potential in epileptic foci of
brain
25. Uses:
Used for the treatment of Absence seizures
Adverse effects:
Head aches
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
26. Uses:
Used for the treatment of Absence seizures
Adverse effects:
Head aches
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
27. Valproic Acid
Mechanism of Action:
Valproic acid block the repetitive generation of
action potential in epileptic foci of brain by
following mechanisms;
i. Blockage of voltage gated sodium channels,
thus prolong the inactivation state of sodium
channels
ii. It reduces calcium current in thalamic neurons
iii. At high conc. It inhibits enzyme GABA amino-
transaminase
30. GABA Related targets
Gabapentine
Vigabatrine
Barbiturates
Mechanism:
Benzodiazepine and barbiturates facilitate the
inhibitory action of GABA
Benzodiazepines bind with receptor on the GABA
receptor-chloride ion channel macromolecular
complex and increase the frequency of chloride
ion channel opening
31. Barbiturates bind/interact with different receptor
on chloride ion channels and increase duration of
chloride opening
Action of GABA is terminated by GABA amino-
transaminase (enzyme) this is irreversibly
inactivated by vigabatrin at therapeutic
concentration
Valproic acid also inhibits this enzyme at higher
concentration
Other drugs includes, felbamate, topiramate etc.
32. Gabapentin is structural analog of GABA, but
does not activate GABA receptors directly and
its mechanism of anti-epileptic action is
unclear
33. Status Epilepticus
For short term control
-I/V diazepam/ Lorazepam
For Long term term control
- I/V Phenytoin is given because it is less
sedating than benzodiazepine, however it may
cause cardiotoxicity
- Fosphenytoin (water soluble) my prove to be
safer
34. - In severe status epilepticus that may not
respond to these drugs general anesthesia may
be used