What blood values should be monitored with carbamazepine (Tegretol)? - Correct Answer-CBC test
every 3-4 months to monitor for decrease in WBCs, platelets, and trouble with RBC production.
What are the pharmacodynamics of carbamazepine (Tegretol)? - Correct Answer-- Auto-metabolizes
leading to lower serum levels despite compliance.
- Half-life 30 hours as single dose, 15 hours when given repeatedly.
What are the Black Box Warnings for carbamazepine (Tegretol)? - Correct Answer-- Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome (SJS)
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is what type of drug? - Correct Answer-Anticonvulsant drug
What should families be taught regarding the monitoring of seizure activity? - Correct Answer--
Prevention of seizures
- Patient Safety
- Quality of life issues
- Do not discontinue medication due to increased risk of seizures
What electrolyte imbalance is noted with the administration of topiramate (Topamax)? - Correct
Answer-Decrease in sodium bicarbonate leading to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
What are adverse effects of topiramate (Topamax)? - Correct Answer-- Weight loss, especially in higher
dose patients
- May affect ability to sweat
What are pregnancy precautions for valproate (Depakote)? - Correct Answer-- Pregnancy Category X
, - Teratogen (an agent that causes malformation of an embryo)
What instructions will you provide to a woman who wants to get pregnant and has a seizure disorder
controlled with valproate (Depakote)? - Correct Answer-- Pregnant women should be advised to switch
to another anticonvulsant during the first trimester, such as levetiracetam (Keppra), then switch back to
volproate (Depakote) in the second trimester.
- All anticonvulsants for pregnant women should be monitored by a high-risk obstetrician.
What are precautions and contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants? - Correct Answer-- Caution
cardiac disease patients (may act as an antiarrhythmic)
- HTN, tachycardia, and convulsions when used with MAOIs
What are adverse effects of tricyclic antidepressants? - Correct Answer-- Anticholinergic effects (dry
mouth, sedation, constipation, increased appetite, blurred vision, tinnitus, euphoria, and mania)
Phenylzine (Nardil) is an MAOI. What are the precautions and contraindications? - Correct Answer--
Avoid foods high in tyramine (fermented foods, wine, alcohol, aged cheeses, yogurt, soy sauce, summer
sausage, processed meats, etc.)
- Avoid St. John's Wort (Serotonin Syndrome)
-Many other drug-drug interactions
How long does it take to clear an MAOI from the body? - Correct Answer-2 full weeks, 5 weeks before
using fluoxetine (Prozac)
What are the symptoms of hypertensive crisis? - Correct Answer-Headache, heart palpitations, stiff or
sore neck, chest tightness, tachycardia, sweating, and dilated pupils. Can be life threatening.
How long does it take for SSRIs to produce an effect for depression? - Correct Answer-2 - 6 weeks (most
are full effect at 4 weeks)