Anti-

Convulsants/Antiepileptic
drugs
PREPARED BY: DR SANA FAHEEM
Objectives
On completion of this session, students will be able to:
Discuss the types of seizures .
Discuss the actions, side effects and contra-indications of Anti-
convulsant drugs.
Discuss the nursing care of clients receiving these drugs.
 Epilepsy
Epilepsy is not a single entity but, instead, an assortment of different seizure types and
syndromes originating from several mechanisms that have in common the sudden, excessive,
and synchronous discharge of cerebral neurons.
This abnormal electrical activity may result in a variety of events, including loss of
consciousness, abnormal movements, atypical or odd behavior, or distorted perceptions that are
of limited duration but recur if untreated.
 Cont…
The site of origin of the abnormal neuronal firing determines the symptoms that are produced.
For example, if the motor cortex is involved, the patient may experience abnormal movements
or a generalized convulsion.
Seizures originating in the parietal or occipital lobe may include visual, auditory, or olfactory
hallucinations.
. Classification of Seizures
Seizure is an abnormal electrical activity in brain.
It is important to correctly classify seizures to determine appropriate treatment. Seizures have
been categorized by site of origin, etiology, electrophysiologic correlation, and clinical
presentation.
Partial
Generalized
Generalized status epilepticus.
Partial Status epilepticus.
 Cont..
Partial :
Partial seizures involve only a portion of the brain, typically part of one lobe of one hemisphere.
The symptoms of each seizure type depend on the site of neuronal discharge and on the extent
to which the electrical activity spreads to other neurons in the brain. Consciousness is usually
preserved. Partial seizures may progress, becoming generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
1.Simple partial: These seizures are caused by a group of hyperactive neurons exhibiting
abnormal electrical activity, which are confined to a single locus in the brain. The electrical
discharge does not spread, and the patient does not lose consciousness. The patient often
exhibits abnormal activity of a single limb or muscle group that is controlled by the region of the
brain experiencing the disturbance.
2.Complex partial: These seizures exhibit complex sensory hallucinations, mental distortion, and
loss of consciousness. Motor dysfunction may involve chewing movements, diarrhea, and/or
urination. Consciousness is altered.
Simple partial seizure activity may spread and become complex and then spread to a secondarily
generalized convulsion. Partial seizures may occur at any age.
 Cont…
Generalized:
Generalized seizures may begin locally, producing abnormal electrical discharges throughout
both hemispheres of the brain. Primary generalized seizures may be convulsive or nonconvulsive,
and the patient usually has an immediate loss of consciousness.
1.Tonic-clonic: Seizures result in loss of consciousness, followed by tonic (continuous contraction)
and clonic (rapid contraction and relaxation) phases. The seizure may be followed by a period of
confusion and exhaustion due to the depletion of glucose and energy stores
2.Absence: These seizures involve a brief, abrupt, and self-limiting loss of consciousness. The
onset generally occurs in patients at 3 to 5 years of age and lasts until puberty or beyond. The
patient stares and exhibits rapid eye-blinking, which lasts for 3 to 5 seconds. This seizure has a
very distinct three-per-second spike and wave discharge seen on electroencephalogram.
3.Myoclonic: These seizures consist of short episodes of muscle contractions that may reoccur
for several minutes. They generally occur after wakening and exhibit as brief jerks of the limbs.
Myoclonic seizures occur at any age but usually begin around puberty or early adulthood.
4.Febrile seizures: Young children may develop seizures with illness accompanied by high fever.
This may occur in siblings. The febrile seizures consist of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions of
short duration and do not necessarily lead to a diagnosis of epilepsy.
5.Status epilepticus: In status epilepticus, two or more seizures recur without recovery of full
consciousness between them. These may be partial or primary generalized, convulsive or
nonconvulsive. Status epilepticus is life-threatening and requires emergency treatment.
 Hydantoins
Mechanism of action:
Blocks Na channel and impulse generation reduces the
tendency of spontaneous depolarization of excitable cells.
E.g.: Phenytoin (Dilantin), mephenytoin (Mesantoin), Ethotoin
Metabolized in liver
Binds with albumin (If low albumin more phenytoin
may remain in free form therefore monitor plasma phenytoin levels)
 Cont…
Side effects:
skin rashes (hypersensitivity)
megaloblastic anemia, (folate-deficiency– impaired absorption of folic acid---)
Thrombocytopenia and leukemia (low platelets and low WBC counts).
Neurological and psychiatric effects (slurred speech, confusion, depression).
Also interferes with Vit K and Vit D metabolism.
Long term use may lead to hyperglycemia (Drug inhibiting the release of insulin).
 Benzodiazepines

Mechanism of action:
Enhance the effects of GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the post synaptic clefts between nerve cells
leading to slowing of abnormally fast nerve impulse conduction

Eg: Clonazepam (Klonopin), Lorazepam and Diazepam (Valium)

Adverse effects: drowsiness (most common), blurred vision, hepatotoxicity, progressive muscle weakness.
Potential for misuse (as it induces sleep)

Drug Interactions: Antihistamines, alcohol, analgesics, narcotics, anesthetics, tranquilizers may increase its
effects.
 Carbamazepine
Used for generalized seizures of tonic-clonic type and for partial seizures.
Mechanism of action:
Blocks Na channel and impulse generation reduces the tendency of spontaneous depolarization
of excitable cells.
It is metabolized in liver

Drug Interactions: Long term use decreases concentration of phenytoin and warfarin in serum.
Side Effects: diplopia, nystagmus, ataxia, headache, bone marrow suppression (serious but rare)
and liver toxicity.
 Barbiturates

Mechanism of action: Enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA

Eg: Phenobarbital, Mephobarbital
Primary indication: generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and partial seizures.
Readily absorbed and metabolized in liver.
Adverse Effects: drowsiness, concentration difficulties
With long term use: Tolerance/ dependence, Congenital abnormalities when used in pregnancy,
Interferes with Vit K and D absorption
 Succinimides

E.g.: Ethosuximide, Methsuximide, Phensuximide,

Mechanism of Action: It inhibits calcium channels and increases the seizure threshold by

reduced release of excitatory neurotransmitters

Used to control absence seizures.

Adverse effects: N/V, Indigestion, sedation

 Valproic Acid
Mechanism of Action
Valproic acid exhibits its pharmacologic effects in a couple of ways, such as by acting on GABA (γ
aminobutyric acid) levels in the CNS,may facilitate inhibitory action of GABA,and by blocking
voltage-gated ion channels,
Side Effects:
Neural tube defects are associated with the use of valproic acid;
Indicated for:
Use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the management of complex partial seizures and
simple or complex absence seizures.
 Vagal Nerve Stimulation
Vagal nerve stimulation requires surgical implant of a small pulse generator with a battery and a
lead wire for stimulus .
The device is implanted and lead wires wrapped around the patient's vagal nerve. This device
and treatment were approved in 1997
The mechanism of action is unknown. Because it has diffuse involvement with the neuronal
circuits, there are a variety of mechanisms by which it may exert its affect on seizure control.
Vagal nerve stimulation has been effective in treatment of partial onset seizures
Vagal nerve stimulation requires invasive procedure and is expensive.
Nursing Care
Teach the client not to stop drug abruptly. Gradually taper off the dose.
Do not change brands or dosage without physician’sconsultation.
Regular follow ups.
Monitor LFTs as most anticonvulsants can cause serious liver damage.
Anticonvulsant drugs work on the central nervous system, they may add to the CNS depressing
effects of alcohol and otherdrugs e.g. Antihistamines, narcotics
Instruct patient to use safety precautions while driving, using machines (due to drowsiness)
Monitor PT, APTT (due to coagulation disorders related to reduced Vitamin K production and
absorption)
 Cont…
Phenytoin should be diluted in 0.9% Normal Saline ONLY as it is only compatible in Saline
To prevent arrhythmias and hypotension, phenytoin should be well diluted and given slowly.
To promote compliance, educate the patient the importance of taking anti seizure drugs exactly
as prescribed.
Teach the patient to maintain seizure frequency chart.
Phenytoin decreases the effect of birth control pills , teach the patient accordingly (conversion
of estrogen and progesterone to inactive metabolites)
Advise the patient to take Valporate with meals to reduce gastric upset.
Give drugs I.V drugs during seizure to have the desired effects immediately.
Reference
Kee, J. Hayes, E. (2006). Pharmacology: A nursing process approach. (4th ed.). New York:
Saunders
Lilley, L.L. Aucker, R.S. (2001). Pharmacology and the nursing process. (3rd ed). Philadelphia:
Mosby
Mosby, T. (2002). Clinical Nursing, 5th ed.Mosby, Inc.
Moore,L.A., Crosby,L.J., & Hamilton , D. B. (1998). Pharmacology for Nursing Care. (3rd ed ).
Philadelphia : London
Katzung and Trevor's Pharmacology (Katzung & Trevor's Pharmacology: Examination & Board
Review)
Lippincott Illustrated Reviews Pharmacology
Thank you