ETHOSUXIMIDE

Zarontin

THERAPEUTIC CLASS

antiseizure

PHARMACOLOGIC CLASS

succinimide

ACTIONS/USES (3)

• what is it used/not used for?

• how does it work?

• used for absence seizures

• NOT used for psychomotor/tonic-clonic seizures

• depresses neuronal activity in motor cortex → inc. neuronal threshold

ADMINISTRATION ALERTS

• do not abruptly stop/withdraw this medication

  • may cause tonic-clonic seizures

ADVERSE EFFECTS (6)

• impaired mental/physical ability

• psychosis, suicidal ideation, depression

• bone marrow suppression, blood dyscrasias

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• hypersensitivity may occur

• severe kidney/liver disease

DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS

valproic acid

HERBAL-FOOD INTERACTIONS

ginkgo biloba → reduced effectiveness

OVERDOSE TREATMENT (3)

gastric lavage, activated charcoal, cathartics