Anxiety and Antiepileptic Medications Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice covering anxiety medications, depressive and bipolar disorders classification, and antiepileptic drug mechanisms and patient education.

Azaspirones

A drug class that includes Buspirone (Buspar), which acts as a partial serotonin and dopamine agonist for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms.

Fluvoxamine (LUNOX)

A Selective serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) used for the short treatment of OCRDS when obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, though it does not prevent the obsessions/compulsions.

Hydroxyzine (vistoril, Atarax)

A miscellaneous antianxiety agent and antihistamine used as a mild tranquilizer for anxiety, tension, and agitation, and to control itching in allergic reactions.

Dysthymia

A type of depressive disorder characterized by chronic, ongoing depression.

Acute Mania

A state with symptoms including euphoria, fast speech, and a reduced need for sleep; approximately $2/3$ of patients with bipolar disorder experience psychotic symptoms as this phase progresses.

Bipolar Disorders

Disorders characterized by episodes of mania (euphoria) and depression, separated by intervals without mood disturbances.

SV2A

A specific protein that antiepileptic drugs like Levetiracetam and brivaracetam bind to in order to regulate neuronal activity.

Gingival hyperplasia

A condition that patients on antiepileptic therapy are encouraged to avoid through regular dentist visits and daily oral hygiene practices.

Seizure threshold

The amount of stimulus required for a seizure to occur.

Broad Spectrum Agents

Antiepileptic medications used for initial treatment with newly diagnosed seizures, including valproic acid, levetriacetam, topiramate, zonisamide, and lamotrigine.

Narrow Spectrum Agents

Antiepileptic medications such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine that have targeted efficiency against specific seizure types.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that counterbalances excitatory neurotransmitters by opening chloride channels to hyperpolarize the cell membrane, preventing the excitation and propagation of seizures.