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antiepileptic medications

Topic: Pathology

Created on Saturday, September 2 2006 by

Last modified on Saturday, September 2 2006.

Which of the following statements regarding antiepileptic medications is FALSE?

 
        A) Valproic acid is approved as adjunct therapy only.
 
        B) Topiramate works via an unknown mechanism.
 
        C) Zonisamide is approved as adjunct therapy only.
 
        D) Clonazepam causes increase of GABA-mediated currents.
 
        E) Phenytoin has been shown in comparative studies to be one of the two safest of the older AEDs.
 

 


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This question was created on September 02, 2006 by .
This question was last modified on September 02, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS




A) Valproic acid is approved as adjunct therapy only.

This answer is correct.


The statement, "Valproic acid is approved as adjunct therapy only." is false.
Valproic acid causes reduction of sodium currents, causes increase of GABA-mediated currents, is indicated for treatement of complex partial seizures, is indicated for tonic-clonic, is indicated for treatment of absence seizures, is indicated for treatment of myoclonic seizures, is metabolized primarily in the liver, is a known teratogen, or evidence for its teratogenicity exists, is associated with an increased risk of spina bifida if taken during pregnancy, and is excreted in breast milk.  (See References)

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B) Topiramate works via an unknown mechanism.

This answer is incorrect.


The statement, "Topiramate works via an unknown mechanism." is true.
Topiramate causes reduction of sodium currents, causes increase of GABA-mediated currents, works via an unknown mechanism, is indicated for treatment of partial seizures, is indicated for tonic-clonic, is indicated for treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, is metabolized primarily by the kidney, and is excreted in breast milk.  (See References)

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C) Zonisamide is approved as adjunct therapy only.

This answer is incorrect.


The statement, "Zonisamide is approved as adjunct therapy only." is true.
Zonisamide causes reduction of sodium currents, causes reduction of T-Calcium currents, is indicated for treatment of partial seizures, is metabolized primarily in the liver, is approved as adjunct therapy only, and is a known teratogen, or evidence for its teratogenicity exists.  (See References)

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D) Clonazepam causes increase of GABA-mediated currents.

This answer is incorrect.


The statement, "Clonazepam causes increase of GABA-mediated currents." is true.
Clonazepam causes reduction of sodium currents, causes increase of GABA-mediated currents, is indicated for treatment of absence seizures, is indicated for treatment of atypical absence seizures, is indicated for treatment of atonic seizures, is indicated for treatment of myoclonic seizures, is metabolized primarily in the liver, and is a known teratogen, or evidence for its teratogenicity exists.  (See References)

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E) Phenytoin has been shown in comparative studies to be one of the two safest of the older AEDs.

This answer is incorrect.


The statement, "Phenytoin has been shown in comparative studies to be one of the two safest of the older AEDs." is true.
Phenytoin causes reduction of sodium currents, causes increase of GABA-mediated currents, is a glutamate receptor antagonist, works via an unknown mechanism, is indicated for treatement of complex partial seizures, is indicated for treatment of partial seizures, is indicated for tonic-clonic, is metabolized primarily in the liver, induces hepatic enzymes, is excreted in breast milk, can be given as a loading dose, has been shown in comparative studies to be one of the two safest of the older AEDs, and is a drug for which the AAN recommends patients stick to one manufacturer's preparation, as evidence exists that there are differences between generic and brand name preparations.  (See References)

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References:

1. Browne, T.R., & Holmes, G.L. (2004). Handbook of Epilepsy, 3rd Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia., Leppik, I.E. (2001). Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of the Patient with Epilepsy, 5th Edition. Handbooks in Health Care, Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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pathology
antiepileptic medications
Question ID: 540025025
Question written by . (C) FrontalCortex.com 2006-2009, all rights reserved. Created: 09/02/2006
Modified: 09/02/2006
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