Treatment FAQ

what drugs are indicated in the treatment of absence seizures excep

by Jerrold Moore Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Which drug is commonly used for treating absence seizures?

Ethosuximide (Zarontin).

This is the drug most doctors start with for absence seizures. In most cases, seizures respond well to this drug.
Feb 24, 2021

Which drugs are contraindicated in absence seizures?

Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, vigabatrin, and tiagabine are contraindicated in the treatment of absence seizures. The GABA agonists vigabatrin and tiagabine can induce absence seizures, including absence status epilepticus.Mar 18, 2011

What are 2 drugs that are effective for absence seizures?

The treatment of choice for CAE with absence seizures only is ethosuximide. Valproic acid and lamotrigine are also effective treatments for many patients, but when compared to ethosuximide, valproic acid has more adverse effects and lamotrigine is less effective.Feb 8, 2019

Why phenytoin is not used in absence seizures?

Similarly, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, gabapentin, and pregabalin should not be used in the treatment of absence seizures because these medications may worsen absence seizures.

Which antiepileptic drug should be avoided in treating patients with generalized absence seizures?

Do not use carbamazepine, gabapentin or tiagabine, because these drugs may exacerbate absence seizures.May 30, 2019

Can Tegretol be used for absence seizures?

Carbamazepine is effective against partial seizures, secondarily generalized seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures. It is not effective against other generalized seizure types, such as absence seizures or myoclonic seizures.

What medication is given for seizures?

Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, including:
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
  • Valproic acid (Depakene)
  • Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal)
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin)
  • Topiramate (Topamax)
  • Phenobarbital.
Feb 24, 2021

Can keppra be used for absence seizures?

Conclusion: In routine clinical practice, levetiracetam is often chosen for patients with absence seizures. However, only about one-quarter of children with absence epilepsy in this study became seizure free with levetiracetam. When effective, levetiracetam can control absence epilepsy at a relatively low dose.Nov 21, 2018

Which is the drug of choice for treating Reye syndrome in pediatric clients?

Aspirin and acetaminophen are the agents used most frequently for antipyresis in pediatric patients. However, aspirin use in children with a viral illness has been associated with development of Reye's syndrome.

Why is carbamazepine not recommended for absence seizures?

Abstract. Carbamazepine (CBZ) aggravates many generalized seizures types, particularly absence seizures, but the mechanisms underlying this are poorly understood. GABA signaling within the reticular nucleus (Rt) and the ventrobasal complex (VB) of the thalamus is critical to the neurophysiology of absence seizures.

Can gabapentin be used for absence seizures?

Gabapentin has been used for many years to treat children with partial seizures. It is not effective for absence seizures. Children usually start with a dose of 10-15 mg/kg per day.

What does phenytoin treat?

Phenytoin is used to control seizures (convulsions), including tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures, in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to prevent and treat seizures that occur during brain surgery.

Principles of Long-Term Treatment

There are some general principles for using antiseizure drugs (also called antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs):

Antiseizure Drug Choice for Long-Term Treatment

The drugs preferred vary according to type of seizure (see table Choice of Drugs for Seizures Choice of Drugs for Seizures No single drug controls all types of seizures, and different patients require different drugs. Some patients require multiple drugs. (See also the practice guideline for the treatment of refractory... read more ).

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

Merck and the Merck Manuals

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community.

Can you recover from an absence seizure?

No immediate intervention is needed for someone having an absence seizure. The person remains fully awake and is not at risk for injury. They recover immediately so they can just continue on with their day, although they won't remember the incident.

What is the difference between absence seizures and generalized seizures?

Seizures happen when there is abnormal electrical activity within the brain. Generalized seizures are one type of seizure and affect both sides of the brain. An absence seizure is a type of generalized seizure and is further categorized into two types.

What is a seizure in the brain?

Seizures are a result of abnormal electrical activity within the brain. The brain is very complex and controls every function of our body so you could imagine a seizure in one part of the brain could look very differently from a seizure in another part of the brain.

Can seizures be controlled by one drug?

No single drug controls all types of seizures, and different patients require different drugs. Some patients require multiple drugs. (See also the practice guideline for the treatment of refractory epilepsy from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.)

Can seizures be treated with multiple drugs?

Drug Treatment of Seizures. No single drug controls all types of seizures, and different patients require different drugs. Some patients require multiple drugs. (See also the practice guideline for the treatment of refractory epilepsy from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.)

What is the principle of long term treatment?

There are some general principles for using antiseizure drugs (also called antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs): A single drug, usually the first or second one tried, controls epileptic seizures in about 60% of patients.

What is the appropriate dose of any drug?

The appropriate dose of any drug is the lowest dose that stops all seizures and has the fewest adverse effects, regardless of blood drug level. Blood drug levels are only guidelines. Once drug response is known, following the clinical course is more useful than measuring blood levels.

Why should multiple drugs be avoided?

Use of multiple drugs should be avoided if possible because incidence of adverse effects, poor adherence, and drug interactions increases significantly. Adding a second drug helps about 10% of patients, but incidence of adverse effects more than doubles.

Can gabapentin cause seizures?

Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, or gabapentin can exacerbate the seizures. Lamotrigine can be used as second-line monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; however, it can aggravate myoclonic seizures in some patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Do antiseizure drugs cause scarlatiniform rash?

Overall, the newer antiseizure drugs have advantages, such as better tolerability, less sedation, and fewer drug interactions. All antiseizure drugs may cause an allergic scarlatiniform or morbilliform rash. Some types of seizures may be worsened by certain antiseizure drugs.

What is the best medication for a seizure in a child?

Until then, if the problem is severe or interfering with the child's social or academic growth, anti-seizure drugs, such as valproic acid , ethosuximide ( Zarontin ), or lamotrigine ( Lamictal) can help control symptoms.

What is the medical history of absence seizures?

If a seizure condition such as absence seizures is suspected, the doctor will begin by taking a thorough medical history, including information on any birth trauma, serious head injury, or infections of the brain such as encephalitis or meningitis.

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