Epilepsy: A Case Study

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Recommended: Defining epilepsy

Main Question Post: Week 5: Discussion – Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013). Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013). Since epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in brain cells, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include: temporary confusion, a staring spell, uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, loss of consciousness …show more content…

Others may be able to decrease the frequency and intensity of their seizures by taking a combination of medications. Some of the more commonly seen medications include:
Levetiracetam- The exact mechanism by which levetiracetam acts to treat epilepsy is unknown. However, the drug binds to a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein, and inhibits presynaptic calcium channels reducing neurotransmitter release and acting as a neuromodulator. This is believed to impede impulse conduction across synapses (Zheng, 2015)
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures. Carbamazepine affects vitamin K metabolism, and can lead to bleeding (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012). Carbamazepine is the second most widely prescribed antiepileptic drug in the United States (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012).m Common side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, ataxia, and blurred vision (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012). Serious and sometimes fatal blood dyscrasias secondary to bone marrow suppression have occurred with carbamazepine (U.S. National Library of Medicine, …show more content…

This medication can be given orally or intravenously and has a therapeutic range of 10-20mcg/ml (Drugs.com, 2015). Side effects include: hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias (drugs.com, 2015).
Age vs. Medication Therapy
As with any medication, importance of dosage and side effects with anti-epileptic drugs is vital when dealing with the older population. Italiano & Perucca (2013) state that elder patients may have mild cognitive impairments or imbalance issues and because anti-epileptic drugs target the brain, they can cause sleepiness, dizziness, and amplification of the impairments these patients experience on a daily basis; o prescribing appropriate medications and dosages should initially be discussed in general terms.
References
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams &

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