Pharm

sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscles of the body, often accompanied by loss of consciousness.

periodic disturbances of the brain's electrical activity.

Classified as partial (focal) or generalized

a permanent, recurrent seizure disorder.

Path/eti= brain injury @ birth, head injuries, and inborn errors of metabolism.

• the most common type of epileptic seizure
• arise from localized area in the brain
• Can spread 2 the entire brain & cause a generalized seizure
• Examples - simple(just stare), Jacksonian (stiffining), Psychomotor(jerking)

with uncontrolled stiffening or jerking in one part of the body such as the finger, mouth, hand, or foot that may progress 2 the entire limb.

a chang in taste or speech

• Include absence, mycolonic, & tonic (contraction) and clonic (relaxation) of muscles
• Loss of consciousness

involve sudden, forceful contractions of single or multiple groups of muscles.

• An emergency
• characterized by continual seizure activity w/ no interruption
• May result from abrupt discontinuation of medication
• Diazepam most often inital treatment

reduce the excitability of brain neurons

• Prophylactically (head trauma, tumor in brain)
• Seizures of all types
• Neuropathic pain
• Bipolar disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Status Epilepticus

• Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness
• Headache, somnolence
• Nystagmus (crossed eyes)
• Ataxia
• Slurred speech
• Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea
• Gingival hyperplasia (stomatitis)
• Pancytopenia (blood levels decreased anemia)

• Example -----phenobarbital
• Used for status epilpticus, focal seizure,& tonic-clonic seizures
• A/R = bradycardia, hypoventilation, skin rash

Remember! This is a sedative/hypnotic

• Examples---clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam
• A/R =---sedation, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, visual disturbances, aplastic anemia
• SHORTER ACTING

• Examples---phenytoin (DILANTIN)
• Most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant
• A/R =
• nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, mental changes, rashes, nausea, vomiting, gingival hyperplasia, hematologic changes, hepatoxicity

MONITOR DILANTIN TOXICITY

• S/S include:
• Rapid eye movement
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Lethargy
• Problems w/ coordination or balance
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Unusual body movements or shakiness

• Nurse=
• Teach client monitor Dilantin levels monthly & CBC
• Normal levels 10-20mcg per mL
• Above 20mcg = NYSTAGMUS (crossed eyes) CALL DR
• Above 30mcg= Mental changes, Ataxia (gait off)

Given 4 Epilepsy. Example- Trimethadione

• A/R =
• DROWSINESS
• dizziness
• personality changes
• increased irritability
• headache
• fatigue
• nausea / vomiting
• PHOTOSENSITIVITY
• VISUAL CHANGES

NURSE= TELL DON'T DRIVE WHEN TAKING AND WEAR SUNSCREEN OR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Example ETHOSUXIMIDE

• A/R:
• GASTROINTESTINAL DISTURBANCES
• Mental confusion
• pruitus
• urticaria
• urinary frequency
• weight loss
• hematologic changes
• SKIN RASH

NURSE= TELL CLIENTS 2 TAKE WITH FOOD 2 PREVENT GI UPSET

example DEPAKOTE Used 4 Epilepsy, Mania, Migraines

• A/R:
• Irritates anything it touches
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Stephen Johnson syndrome

NURSE= TELL CLIENT DONT CHEW SWALLOW WHOLE MIX W/ PUDDING. MAIN GOAL PREVENT MOUTH SORES

• NEUROTIN
• UNRELATED 2 OTHER ANTICONVULSANTS

• Description of seizure (motor and psych activity)
• Frequency of the seizures (how many per day)
• Average length of time of a seizure
• Description of aura
• Description of degree of impairment of conciousness
• Description of what, if anything appears 2 bring on seizure

• DON'T STICK ANYTHING IN CLIENT'S MOUTH WHILE HAVING SEIZURE
• TAKE V/S RIGHT AFTER SEIZURES
• DON'T STOP TAKING ANTICONVULSANTS ABRUPTLY OR SKIP MEDS
• DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL
• WEAR MEDICAL BRACELET
• DON'T SKIP APPTS. 2 MONITOR TOX LEVELS

recurrence of seizures so make sure u teach them 2 not skip doses!!