Pharmacotherapy: Antiseizure Medications

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to pharmacotherapy for seizures, including medications, definitions, and nursing considerations.

Anticonvulsants

Medications used to prevent seizures.

Seizure

A symptom representing hyperexcitability of neurons in the brain.

Epilepsy

A disorder characterized by recurrent seizures with no identifiable underlying cause.

Idiopathic seizures

Seizures for which no specific cause can be identified.

Pre-eclampsia

Hypertension identified in pregnancy managed to prevent eclampsia.

Eclampsia

Uncontrolled hypertension in pregnancy that leads to seizure activity.

Febrile seizures

Seizures in children caused by a rapid increase in body temperature.

Status epilepticus

A medical emergency characterized by prolonged seizure activity lasting over 30 minutes.

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid)

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that suppresses neuron firing.

Barbiturates

A class of drugs effective for most seizure types, but not absence seizures.

Benzodiazepines

Drugs that potentiate GABA action and can be used for seizure control.

Phenytoin

An older medication for seizures with a narrow therapeutic range requiring careful dose monitoring.

Valproic acid

An anti-seizure medication with a wider therapeutic range but still necessitates monitoring.

Calcium influx suppressors

Drugs that prevent neurons from firing too quickly and are effective for absence seizures.

Nursing considerations

Important factors nurses must monitor, such as seizure patterns and safety precautions for patients.

Seizure diary

A tool for patients to track seizure frequency and symptoms to discuss with healthcare providers.

CNS depressants

Substances that should be avoided with anti-seizure medications due to increased risk of adverse effects.

Gingival hyperplasia

Oral condition linked to phenytoin and similar drugs, necessitating good oral hygiene.

Therapeutic range

The concentration of a drug in the bloodstream that achieves intended effects without toxicity.

Seizure threshold

The level of stimulation at which a seizure is triggered; medications aim to raise this threshold.