Mechanism of Action
This benzodiazepine raises seizure threshold by potentiating GABA at GABA-A receptors.
What is diazepam (or clonazepam/clobazam)?
This hydantoin is commonly used for tonic-clonic and focal seizures.
What is phenytoin?
This class causes respiratory depression when combined with opioids.
What are benzodiazepines?
All antiepileptic drugs carry this FDA warning.
What is increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior?
This barbiturate metabolized in liver and
excreted in urine is known for a slow onset and very long duration of activity (half-life 80-120
hours), allowing once-daily dosing.
What is phenobarbital?
This medication enhances GABA activity and also blocks sodium channels. It has a broad spectrum including absence, myoclonic, tonic-clonic seizures.
What is valproic acid (or divalproex)?
This medication is first-line for absence seizures.
What is ethosuximide?
This hydantoin causes gingival hyperplasia.
What is phenytoin?
Women of childbearing age taking this Multi-Mechanism Antiepileptic medication must use effective contraception due to oral cleft risk.
What is topiramate?
This drug has a half-life that decreases over time due to autoinduction (initial 25–65 hrs to 12–17 hrs).
What is carbamazepine?
The exact mechanism of action for this drug is not comepletely understood, but this drug works by binding to synaptic vesicle protein SV2A and may inhibit calcium release from intraneuronal stores
and appears to suppress rapid firing action potential.
What is levetiracetam?
This medication is used IV for status epilepticus.
What is diazepam? (or phenobarbital)
This GABA Modulator medication used for Adjunctive therapy for partial seizures may cause kidney stones, agranulocytosis, GI upset, and Oligohydrosis.
What is zonisamide?
When giving succinimides with this medication, monitor for decreased serum levels and breakthrough seizures.
What is primidone?
This succinimide reaches peak levels in 3–7 hours.
What is ethosuximide?
Treatment of generalized and focal seizures, this medication blocks sodium channels and induces its own metabolism (autoinduction). It is also the first-line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.
What is carbamazepine?
This drug is used for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as adjunct therapy.
What is clobazam?
This broad-spectrum agent is contraindicated in pregnancy due to neural tube defects.
What is valproic acid?
Due to benzodiazepines precipitating withdrawal seizures, you should always do this process.
What is taper off?
This medication has a half-life of 6–8 hours and is mostly excreted unchanged in urin
What is levetiracetam?
This drug enhances GABA, blocks sodium channels, inhibits glutamate, and inhibits carbonic anhydrase.
What is topiramate?
This GABA modulator has an indication for adjunctive for refractory seizures, particularly with catamenial pattern.
What is Acetazolamide?
This Broad-Spectrum Antiseizure Agent has a black box warning for life-threatening rashes including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis,
and rash-related death. These risks is higher in pediatric patients and with rapid dose escalation.
What is lamotrigine?
This GABA Modulators drug requires monitoring of liver function and platelets.
What is Valproic Acid & Divalproex?
This drug has a half-life of 50–68 hours and is used for focal seizures.
What is zonisamide?