Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group is neurological disorder. An epileptic seizure is a paroxysm(sudden) of uncontrolled discharges of neurons causing an event that is discernible(visible) by the person experiencing the seizures or by the observer. The tendency to have recurrent attacks is known as epilepsy.
phenytoin,phenobarbital,sodium valporate ,carbamazepine,clonazepam and diazepam, lamotrigine,pregabalin,felbamate,zonisamide, ETHOSUXIMIDE, LEVETIRACETAM, OXACARBAZEPINE, PRIMIDONE
2. Introduction
Epilepsy is a group is
neurological disorder. An
epileptic seizure is a
paroxysm(sudden) of
uncontrolled discharges of
neurons causing an event
that is discernible(visible) by
the person experiencing the
seizures or by the observer.
The tendency to have
recurrent attacks is known
as epilepsy.
3. Epidemiology
Diagnosis is essentially clinically,
relying heavily on eyewitness
descriptions of the attacks.
A global campaign has been
established to aware about epilepsy,
provide information and improve
care.
Around 50 million people worldwide
have epilepsy.
Nearly 90% of the people with
epilepsy are found in developing
regions.
Epilepsy ressponds to treatment
70% of the time.
Upto 5% of people will suffer at least
one seizure in their lifetime.
4. Aetiology
Epileptic seizures are produced by abnormal
discharges of neurons that may be caused
by any pathological process which affects
the cortical layer of the brain
6. SYMPTOMATIC EPILEPSY: Epilepsy
is called symptomatic when it has
a known cause.
IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY: where no
apparent cause for epilepsy can
be found, but there may be a
family history, suggesting that
the condition is inherited
CRYPTOGENIC EPILEPSY: This is
when the cause for a person's
epilepsy has not yet been found,
despite investigations
8. IN CASE OF EPILEPSY :
DAMAGED
OF NEURON
CHANGES IN
DISCHARGE
PATTERN
PERIOD OF
INACTIVITY
(EPILEPSY)
9. Generalized seizures
Generalized seizures result in impairment of
consciousness from the on set
TYPES OF GENERALIZED
SEIZURES:
There are various types of generalized seizures
• Tonic clonic convulsions
• Absence attack
• Myoclonic seizures
• Atonic seizures
10. MYOCLONIC SEIZURES:
In myoclonic seizures very brief involuntary
shock like jerks which may involve in the
whole body or arms or head usually
Happen in morning they may cause person fall.
ATONIC SEIZURES:
These comprise a sudden loss of muscles tone causing person to
collapse to the ground recovery after ward is quick much
commonin pateint with severe epilepsy starting in infancy
11. TONIC CLONIC SEIZURES:
Often called “grand mal” attacks with out warning the
patient suddenly goes stiff,fall,tongue bitting
with laboured breathing and salivation
it over come after few minutes
ABSENCE ATTACKS:
Aften called “petit mal” these are much rarer form
it happen in child hood ,
child goes bland and stares fluttering of eyelids and
flopping of head may
occur it last only few seconds and un recognized even
by child experencing
them
12. PARTIAL OR FOCAL SEIZURES
SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES:
Discharge remains localized & consciousness
is fully preserved.
EXAMPLES:
Localized jerking of a limb or face, stiffness or
twitching of one part of the body, numbness or
abnormal sensations.
13. COMPLEX PARTIAL
SEIZURES:
Seizure progresses with impairment
of consciousness.
Originate in the frontal or temporal
lobes of the brain and can progress
to secondarily generalized seizures.
EXAMPLES:
Lip smacking , undressing,
performing aimless activities, acting
in a confused manner.
14. SECONDARILY GENERALISED
SEIZURES:
These are partial seizures, either
simple or complex.
Discharge spreads to the entire brain.
ECG can demonstrate the partial
nature of the seizure.
Involvement of the entire brain leads to
a convulsive attack with same
characteristics as a generalized tonic
clonic convulsion.
15. DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of epilepsy is clinical &
depends on a reliable account of
what happened during the
attacks.
Epilepsy must only be diagnosed
when seizures occur
spontaneously and are recurrent.
EEG (electroencephalogram) is
the only examination required,
particularly in generalized
epilepsies & aims to record
abnormal neuronal discharges.
16. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the
most valuable investigation when structural
abnormalities such as stroke, tumor,
congenital abnormalities are suspected.
MRI to be used in people who develop
epilepsy as adults or in whom seizures persist
or when a structural lesion on the brain may
be responsible for seizures.
17. Treatment
National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence issued guidance
on the treatment of the epilepsies in
adults and children in primary and
secondary care.
Treatment individualised according
to seizure type, epilepsy syndrome,
co-medication and co-morbidity, the
individual's lifestyle and personal
preference.
18. Treatment during
seizures
Made the patient as comfortable as possible ( lying down,
cushioning the head, loosening any tight clothing or
neckwear)
Should not be moved unless they are in a dangerous
place (road, fire, top of stairs, edge of water)
No attempt should be made to open a person’s mouth or
don’t force any thing between the teeth
When seizure stops, turned over to recovery phase and
check air ways for any blockage
No drinks or extra anti-epileptic drugs required.
If seizure persist for more than 10min, IV or Rectal
diazepam(10-20mg) in adults can be given.
Lower doses of diazepam advisable for children.
19. Status epilepticus
Initially:
Positioning the person to avoid injury
Supporting respiration
Maintaining Blood Pressure
Correcting hypoglycemia
Drugs:
DOC= Lorazepam or diazepam IV
Alternative= midazolam
20. Febrile convulsions
Convulsions associated with fever
May occur in young
Aim to reduce the temperature
Use of paracetamol is usual
If Prolonged febrile convulsions, DOC is
Diazepam. (IV or PR)
21. Long term
treatment
Long term and regular drug therapy of epilepsy usually for
atleast 3 years or for life time
Objective:
Suppress epileptic discharges
Prevent the development of epileptic seizures
Treatment is initiated by specialist only with consideration of
all relevant factors.
AED treatment may fails unless the patient fully
understands the importance of regular therapy and the
objectives of treatment.
Poor adherence is still a major factor lead to hospitalization
and poor seizure control and lead to clinical use of multiple
AED.
22. General principle of treatment
Therapy aims to control
seizures using one drug with
the lowest possible dose that
cause the fewest side effects
possible.
The choice of drugs depends
largely on the seizure type, and
so correct diagnosis and
classification are essential.
23. Initiation of therapy in newly
diagnosed patients
The first line AED most suitable for the
person’s seizure type should be introduced
slowly, starting with a small dose.
This is because too rapid an introduction may
include side-effects that will lose the patient’s
confidence.
24. Maintenance
dosage
There is no single optimum dose of AED
Dose varies from person to person and drug to drug.
Drug should be introduce slowly and then increased
incrementally to an initial maintenance dosage.
Seizure control then be assessed and the dose of rug
changed if necessary.
Most specialists prefer people to remain on the same
brand of medication, and this is also preferred by the
majority of people with epilepsy.
26. Withdrawal of drugs
AEDS shuoldn’t be withdrawn
abruptly
Particularlt with barbiturates &
benzodiazepines rebound seizures
may occur.
Examples: phenobarbital & primidone
clobazam & clonazepam
27. Withdrawal should be carried out in
slow step-wise fashion
To cover withdrawal phase
benzodiazepine like diazepam can be
used
Example of withdrawal regimens
CARBAMAZEPINE:
100 - 200 mg every 2 weeks
100 - 200 mg every 4 weeks
28. Newer AEDs
Generally used as second-line agents
Guidance has been issued by National
Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence
for the following:
1 USE OF NEWER AEDS IN ADULTS
2 USE OF NEWER AEDS IN CHILDREN
3 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS & MANAGEMENT OF
EPILEPSIES IN ADULTS & CHILDREN IN
PRIMARY & SECONDARY CARE
29. Follow-up and monitoring of treatment
It is essential to follow up patients in whom
AED treatment has been started
Monitornig the efficacy and side effects of
treatment upon which drug drug dosage will
depend
This follow up is particularly important in early
stages of treatment
30. Stopping treatment
With drawl therapy is an individual one and the
person shouldbe made aware of the risk and
benefits of withdrawl
Drug withdrawl should be carried out only very
slowly in staged decrements and only one drug at
a time should be withdrawn
Withdrawn therapy should be considered in
people who have been free seizure free for a
considerable period of time
31. Monitoring antiepileptic therapy
TDM involves the measurement of serum drug s
and their pharmacokinetics interpretation .TDM
may be useful to establish adherence with the
treatment
At the onset of action
If seizure control is poor or sudden changes in
seizure control occur
If toxicity is suspected
When changes AED therapy or making changes
to other aspects of a persons drug regimen that
may interact with the AED
32. Drug development and action
Established AEDs such as
phenytoin,phenobarbital,sodium valporate
,carbamazepine,clonazepam and diazepam
New drugs include
lamotrigine,pregabalin,felbamate,zonisamide
Unlike most older agents
vigabatrin,zonisamide.lacosamide
33. 1. CARBAMAZAPINE
Carbamazepine is a dibenzapine derivative with
antiepileptic and anticonvulsant properties.
Pharmacodynamics: Na-Channel Antagonist
Indications:
Aggression
Diabetes insipidus
Epilepsy
Mood disorder
Trigeminal neuralgia
Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder.
34. Contra-indications:
o Bone marrow depression
o Porphyrias
o Av conduction abnormalities.
Adverse Drug Reaction:
o Proteinuria
o Skin rashes
o Stevens johnson syndrome
o Hyponatremia
o Agranulocytosis
o Hematuria
Drug Interaction:
o Amitriptyline
o Chloroquine
o Bromazepam
o Fluoxetine
o Diltiazem
35. 2. CLONAZEPAM
Clonazepam is a benzodiazipine.
Benzdiazipines are the most widely used
anxiolytic drugs.
Pharmacodynamics: Chloride Channel
Potentiater (GABA operated)
Indications:
Atypical absence
Bipolar affective disorder
Drug induced dyskinesias
36. Contra-indications:
Respiratory depression
Acute pulmonary insufficiency
Hypersensitivity
Adverse Drug Reaction:
Thrombocytopenia
Blood dyscrasias
Apnea
Hypotension, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Fatigue,
Anorexia,
Drug Interactions:
o Alcohol
o Carbamazepine
o Iproniazid Phosphate
o Phenobarbitone
o Valproic Acid
37. 3. ETHOSUXIMIDE
Ethosuximide is antiepileptic agent.
its popularity continues, based on its safety
and efficacy.
Pharmacodynamics: Pyrrolidinedione
Indications:
Generalised epilepsy with absence seizures.
38. Contra-indications:
Hypersensitivity to any component of product.
Adverse Drug Reaction:
Tonic-clonic seizures
Nausea
Vomiting
Anorexia
GI symptoms,
Drug Interactions:
o Alcohol,
o Carbamazepine
o Isoniazid
o Phenobarbitone
o Phenytoin (Na), Sodium Valproate
39. 4. LAMOTRIGINE
Lamotrigine is a triazine derivarive.
Lamotrigine is oral antiepileptic and anticonvulsant
agent.
Pharmacodynamics: Triazine Derivatives
Indications:
o Bipolar disorders
o Epilepsy Partial seizures
o Tonic-clonic seizures
o Generalised epilepsy with absence seizures
41. 5. Phenobarbitone
Phenobarbitone is oral and parenteral barbiturate with
anticonvulsant and sedative-hypnotic properties.
Phenobarbitone is also the longest-acting agent in the
barbiturate group.
Pharmacodynamics: Chloride Channel opener (Gaba
operated)
Indications:
Benign febrile convulsions of infancy
Seizures
Short-term treatment of severe congestive heart failure
Status epilepticus.
43. 6: LEVETIRACETAM
Levetiracetam is an anti epileptic pyrrolidone derivative.
Pharmacodynamic:The exact mechanism by which levetiracetam acts to treat
epilepsy is unknown. However, the drug binds to a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein,
SV2A.
Indications:Levetiracetam is an anti-epileptic drug which is used for the adjunctive
treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation.
alternative drug of choice in Iron deficiency anaemia.
Contra-indications: Breast feeding
Adverse Drug Reaction:Dizziness, Vertigo, Headache, Drowsiness, Ataxia,
Anorexia, Nervousness, Rashes, Depression, Tremor, Asthenia, Aggression.
Drug interactions:phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, valproic
acid, lamotrigine, gabapentin, digoxin, oral contraceptives ethinylestradiol, and
warfarin
44. 7. OXACARBAZEPINE
Oxacarbazepine is an antiepileptic and anti convulsant drug.
Pharmacodynamic:blockade of voltagesensitive sodium channels
could contribute to the antiepileptic efficacy of OCBZ.
Indications:
adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary
generalised tonic-clonic seizures.
Contra-indications: Oxcarbazepine is contraindicated in conditions
like Hypersensitivity to any component of product
Adverse Drug Reaction:Dizziness, Vertigo, Headache, Drowsiness,
Ataxia, Alopecia, Diarrhea, Constipation, Abdominal pain, Rashes,
Confusion, Urticaria, Depression, Tremor, Diplopia,nausea,vomiting.
Drug Interactions:
Amiodarone, Amlodipine, Felodipine, Nifedipine, Nimodipine, Verapamil (Calan,
Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) Cyclosporine Lansoprazole (Prevacid) Omeprazole
(Prilosec)
45. 8. PHENYTOIN
Phenytoin exerts its anticonvulsant effect mainly by limiting the
spread of seizure activity and reducing seizure propagation.
Pharmacodynamics: Na-Channel Antagonist
Indications:Convulsions, Epilepsy, Migraine prophylaxis, Myotonia,
Prophylaxis of epilepsy, Status epilepticus, Status epilepticus;
seizures in neurosurgery, TIC douloureaux, Ventricular arrhythmias.
Contra-indications: conditions like Porphyrias.
Adverse Drug Reaction:Ataxia, Nausea, Vomiting, Hypotension,
Drowsiness, Nystagmus, Coma, Hyperglycemia, Stupor, Blurred
vision.
Drug Interactions:Alprazolam, Amiodarone (HCl), Amitriptyline
(HCl),Amlodipine, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin,carbamazepine.
46. 9. Sodium Valproate
Sodium Valproate is anticonvulsant drug
Pharmacodynamics: Na-Channel Antagonist.
Indications: Sodium Valproate is primarily indicated in
conditions like All forms of epilepsy, Generalised epilepsy
with absence seizures, Prophylaxis of febrile convulsion,
Prophylaxis of post traumatic epilepsy, Status epilepticus
Contra-indications: pregnancy.
Adverse Drug Reaction: Thrombocytopenia, Pancreatitis,
Liver damage, Extrapyrimidal symptoms, Hyperammonemia,
Death, Deepening coma, Weight gain, Tremor, Hair loss, GI
disorders, Hematological disorder, Leucopenia.
Drug Interactions: Aspirin, Carbamazepine, Erythromycin,
Ethosuximide, Fosphenytoin, Lamotrigine, Mefloquine (HCl),
Meropenem, Methotrexate, Phenobarbitone, Phenytoin.
47. 10. PRIMIDONE
It resembles phenobarbital in its anticonvulsant activity.
Primidone is a derivative of barbituric acid.
Pharmacodynamics: work via interactions with voltage-gated sodium channels
which inhibit high-frequency repetitive firing of action potentials
Indications: Primidone is primarily indicated in conditions like Epilepsy, Essential
tumor.
Contra-indications: Primidone is contraindicated in conditions like Porphyrias.
Adverse Drug Reaction: Vertigo, Ataxia, Nausea, Vomiting, Drowsiness,
Sleepiness, Irritability, Ataxia, Tremors, Impotence, Loss of libido, Loss of
memory,depression.
Drug Interactions: Acetazolamide (Na), Alcohol, Carbamazepine,
Chloramphenicol, Cortisone (Acetate), Desogestrel, Desonide, Estradiol (Valerate),
Ethynodiol ,Na valporate.