High-Yield Review of Antiepileptic Drugs, Seizure Management, Status Epilepticus, Malignant Hyperthermia, Snake Envenomation, and Drug-Induced Neurological Toxicities: Mechanisms, Adverse Effects, and Clinical Pearls Verified Questions Provided with A+ Gr

High-Yield Review of Antiepileptic Drugs, Seizure Management, Status Epilepticus, Malignant Hyperthermia, Snake Envenomation, and Drug-Induced Neurological Toxicities: Mechanisms, Adverse Effects, and Clinical Pearls Verified Questions Provided with A+ Graded Rationales LATEST UPDATED 2026 What adverse effects are associated with most anti epileptic drugs? (WBOT) CNS depression - sedation/drowsy/confusion - motor incoordination - decreased cognitive function mood changes/suicidal ideation weight gain DRUG INTERACTIONS: - estrogen component of oral contraceptives (phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine) what are the broad hepatic enzyme inducers of anti-epileptic drugs? (HY) phenytoin barbituates primidone carbamazepine *****DISRUPTS ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES (INDUCES ESTROGEN METABOLISM) *****DISRUPTS VIT. D = OSTEOPOROSIS A woman of reproductive age begins taking a new medication for her epilepsy. What drug adverse effects must you warn her about? CNS depression Weight gain Oral contraceptive disruption (broad hepatic enzyme inducers) ***phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine Valporate (HY) Anti-epileptic drug - is NOT a hepatic enzyme inducer (so will not effect oral contraceptives) BUT will cause osteoporosis from decreased Vit. D - also highly teratogenic Carbamazepine (HY) Antiepileptic drug → focal seizures - MOA: block activated sodium channels (the channel cannot depolarize and is "locked"/inactive) Adverse Effects: - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (HLA-B*1502) - SIADH - ENZYME INDUCER → lose Vit.D = osteoporosis, decrease oral contraceptive efficacy A PT is taking carbamazepine for her focal seizures. You explain to her that this drug is an enzyme inducers so she must be aware of the following side effects: lose vitamin D = osteoporosis decrease oral contraceptive efficacy MOA of carbamazepine Blocks Na+ channels and inhibits APs - anti epileptic drug carbamazepine = enzyme _________ (HY) INDUCER - ↓ Vit. D = osteoporosis - ↓ oral contraceptive efficacy generalized convulsive status epilepticus continuous seizures lasting 5 or more minutes or 2 or more discrete seizures between which t