What is a common side effect of anticonvulsants?

In addition to the common side effects of antiepileptic drugs, like dizziness, drowsiness, and mental slowing; other side effects like weight gain, metabolic acidosis, nephrolithiasis, angle closure glaucoma, skin rash, hepatotoxicity, colitis, and movement and behavioral disorders, to name a few, have been brought to …

What is anticonvulsant toxicity?

The triad of anticonvulsants toxicity is central nervous system depression, nystagmus, and ataxia. Many agents are fairly benign in the setting of toxicity, but severe toxicity may be associated with seizure, coma & death. Benzodiazepines are the primary treatment for seizures in the setting of antiepileptic toxicity.

Are anticonvulsants bad for you?

Your doctor may want to take occasional blood tests to monitor your health while taking an anticonvulsant. Some anticonvulsants can cause liver or kidney damage or decrease the amount of platelets in your blood.

How are anticonvulsants administered?

An antiepileptic medication is swallowed by mouth and passes directly to the stomach. Once in the stomach the medication is absorbed into the blood stream where it is then circulated to the brain, via the liver, and acts on the nerve cells.

What is a serious side effect of antiepileptic medications?

The first-generation antiepileptic drugs can have severe side effects and are known to cause liver damage….Side effects include:

Dizziness,
insomnia,
headache,
ataxia,
diplopia,
tremor,
hypersensitivity and,
potentially fatal Stevens-Johnson rash in children.

Can you overdose on anticonvulsants?

Overdoses with anticonvulsants are common and produce major morbidity, in many cases requiring intensive care medicine and prolonged hospital stays. However, fatalities are uncommon. Management in most cases centres on supportive measures.

Can carbamazepine be toxic?

Carbamazepine toxicity can be divided into the following three levels: (1) disorientation and ataxia at levels of 11–15 mg/L; (2) aggression and hallucinations with levels of 15–25 mg/L; and (3) seizures and coma with levels above 25 mg/L.

Do anticonvulsants cause weight gain?

Bodyweight gain is a common and frequent undesirable effect associated with the use of anticonvulsant drugs. This has been observed for many years with valproic acid (sodium valproate) and carbamazepine, and also, more recently, with some of the newer anticonvulsants such as vigabatrin and gabapentin.

Are anticonvulsants and antiepileptics the same?

The term “anticonvulsant” is applied to a drug used for the treatment of epileptic seizures, hence, the synonym “antiepileptic.” Anticonvulsants are also being used in the treatment of neuropathic pain and as mood stabilizers in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder.

What medication is given to stop seizures?

Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, including: Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others) Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) Valproic acid (Depakene)

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