Question 1
Question
Which of the following are First Generation anti-epileptics?
Answer
-
Phenytoin
-
Carbamazepine
-
Ethosuximide
-
Pregabalin
-
Phenobarbital
-
Levetiracetam
-
Valproic acid
-
Felbamate
-
Clonazepam
Question 2
Question
Which of the following are Second Generation anti-epileptics?
Answer
-
Topiramate
-
Oxcarbazepine
-
Phenytoin
-
Pregabalin
-
Ethosuximide
-
Valproic acid
-
Felbamate
-
Lamotrigine
-
Gabapentin
-
Levetiracetam
Question 3
Question
[blank_start]Epilepsy[blank_end] is chronic disorder characterized by recurring seizures.
Question 4
Question
Pharmacological treatment can control but not cure epilepsy.
Question 5
Question
Status epilepticus is a medical [blank_start]emergency[blank_end].
Question 6
Question
[blank_start]Generalized[blank_end] – no evidence of localized onset
[blank_start]Absence[blank_end] – sudden onset, abrupt cessation; 10-45 sec duration; may occur >100 times per day; characterized by a spike and wave pattern on EEG; patient may simply stare (daydream) or show postural changes, autonomic phenomena, automatisms
[blank_start]Tonic-clonic[blank_end] – tonic rigidity of all extremities, followed by relaxation, then by massive jerking of the body; patient is groggy/disoriented afterwards, urinary incontinence is common, 1-2 min duration
[blank_start]Tonic[blank_end] – increased tone of all muscles
[blank_start]Atonic[blank_end] – sudden loss of postural tone
[blank_start]Myoclonic[blank_end] – muscles spasm and limbs jerk; contractions and relaxations repeat rapidly
Answer
-
Generalized
-
Absence
-
Tonic-clonic
-
Tonic
-
Atonic
-
Myoclonic
-
Simple
-
Complex
-
Secondarily generalized
-
Focal
Question 7
Question
[blank_start]Focal (partial)[blank_end] – seizure initiates in a specific site
[blank_start]Secondarily generalized[blank_end] – focal seizure precedes a generalized
tonic-clonic seizure
[blank_start]Simple[blank_end] – minimal spread within brain; often clonic jerking, no
diminished awareness, 20-60 sec duration
[blank_start]Complex[blank_end] – localized onset but discharge spreads; alteration of
consciousness (but not unconscious), automatisms (integrated
motor behavior, e.g. lip smacking, button picking)
Answer
-
Focal (partial)
-
Secondarily generalized
-
Simple
-
Complex
-
Tonic-clonic
-
Absence
-
Tonic
-
Atonic
-
Clonic and myoclonic
Question 8
Question
Classify the following seizures:
[blank_start]Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure[blank_end]:
“When it starts, she suddenly shrieks with this unnatural cry, then she falls, and every muscle in her body seems to be
activated. Her teeth clench. Shortly after she falls, her arms and upper body start to jerk while her legs are more or less still stiff. This is the longest part of the seizure. Then it finally stops and she passes into a deep sleep.”
[blank_start]Generalized Absence Seizure[blank_end]
"He is a 7 year old boy. He often “blanks out” for a few seconds. His teacher calls his name, but he doesn’t seem to
hear her. He usually blinks a few times, and his eyes may roll up a bit. Then he is right back where he left off. Some days he has more than 50 of these spells.”
[blank_start]Secondary Generalization Focal Seizure[blank_end]
"They start with a tingling in the right thumb. Then the thumb starts jerking. In a few seconds, the whole right hand is jerking. The jerking spreads up my arm. When it reaches the shoulder, I pass out and people tell me that my whole body starts to jerk.”
Answer
-
Secondary Generalization Focal Seizure
-
Generalized Absence Seizure
-
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure
-
Generalized Tonic Seizure
-
Generalized Atonic Seizure
-
Complex Focal Seizure
-
Simple Focal Seizure
Question 9
Question
What are the goals of therapy with anti-epileptics?
Improve [blank_start]quality of life[blank_end] by:
Controlling [blank_start]seizures[blank_end]
Rarely are seizures eliminated; even occasional seizures are still a concern for patients
Minimizing [blank_start]adverse effects[blank_end]
Usually lifelong treatment
Answer
-
quality of life
-
seizures
-
adverse effects
Question 10
Question
Which anti-epileptic drugs have the following mechanism of action?
Inhibit voltage dependent Na+ channels
Answer
-
oxcarbazepine
-
phenytoin
-
valproate
-
topiramate
-
felbamate
-
gabapentin
-
carbamazepine
-
clonazepam
-
lamotrigine
-
ethosuximide
Question 11
Question
Which anti-epileptic drugs have the following mechanism of action?
Inhibit glutamate receptors
Answer
-
valproate
-
felbamate
-
phenobarbital
-
oxcarbazepine
-
pregabalin
-
topiramate
Question 12
Question
Which anti-epileptic drugs have the following mechanism of action?
Modulate glutamate release (putative)
Answer
-
levetiracetam
-
pregabalin
-
topiramate
-
ethosuximide
-
felbamate
-
gabapentin
Question 13
Question
Which anti-epileptic drugs have the following mechanism of action?
Increase inhibitory neurotransmission
Enhance GABA-A activity (positive allosteric modulation)
Answer
-
ethosuximide
-
clonazepam
-
lamotrigine
-
phenobarbital
-
valproate
-
topiramate
Question 14
Question
Which anti-epileptic drugs have the following mechanism of action?
Inhibit T-type Ca2+ channels
Depolarization of thalamic neurons activates cortical neurons
Answer
-
topiramate
-
carbamazepine
-
clonazepam
-
valproate
-
ethosuximide
-
phenytoin
Question 15
Question
In a normal neuron (A), excitation
and inhibition are [blank_start]balanced[blank_end]
Neurons susceptible to seizure
activity show [blank_start]decreased[blank_end] inhibition (B)
or [blank_start]increased[blank_end] excitation (C)
(D) [blank_start]Increasing[blank_end] GABA activity can
[blank_start]decrease[blank_end] seizure activity in both
situations
(D) Similarly, [blank_start]decreasing[blank_end] Glutamate activity
can also [blank_start]decrease[blank_end] seizure activity
Answer
-
balanced
-
unbalanced
-
increased
-
decreased
-
increased
-
decreased
-
Increasing
-
Decreasing
-
increase
-
decrease
-
increasing
-
decreasing
-
increase
-
decrease
Question 16
Question
Block voltage-activated calcium channels
− Neurons in thalamus are dependent on calcium channel [blank_start]pacemaker[blank_end]
currents for depolarization
− Blocking these channels slows the [blank_start]pacemaker[blank_end]
− Depolarization of [blank_start]thalamic[blank_end] neurons activates [blank_start]cortical[blank_end] neurons
Answer
-
pacemaker
-
pacemaker
-
thalamic
-
cortical
Question 17
Question
Which four of the following are drugs of choice for Focal Epileptic Seizures?
Answer
-
Valproate
-
Gabapentin
-
Oxcarbazepine
-
Pregabalin
-
Carbamazepine
-
Ethosuximide
-
Topiramate
-
Phenytoin
-
Lamotrigine
-
Levetiracetam
Question 18
Question
Which five of the following are alternative drugs for Focal Epileptic Seizures?
Answer
-
Valproate
-
Topiramate
-
Gabapentin
-
Oxcarbazepine
-
Phenytoin
-
Clonazepam
-
Carbamazepine
-
Levetiracetam
-
Pregabalin
-
Lamotrigine
Question 19
Question
Which three of the following are drugs of choice for Primary GTC Seizures?
Answer
-
Topiramate
-
Valproate
-
Lamotrigine
-
Levetiracetam
-
Phenytoin
-
Pregabalin
Question 20
Question
Which two of the following are alternative drugs for Primary GTC Seizures?
Answer
-
Topiramate
-
Phenytoin
-
Levetiracetam
-
Gabapentin
-
Valproate
-
Lamotrigine
Question 21
Question
Which two of the following are drugs of choice for Absence Seizures?
Answer
-
Topiramate
-
Clonazepam
-
Ethosuximide
-
Lamotrigine
-
Valproate
-
Levetiracetam
Question 22
Question
Which two of the following are alternative drugs for Absence Seizures?
Answer
-
Topiramate
-
Ethosuximide
-
Lamotrigine
-
Clonazepam
-
Valproate
-
Levetiracetam
Question 23
Question
Which five of the following are some of the adverse effects of Phenytoin?
Question 24
Question
Which six of the following are some of the adverse effects of Phenytoin?
Answer
-
May interfere with learning
-
Sedation
-
Ataxia
-
Rare serious blood dyscrasias
-
Fulminant hepatitis
-
Folate and Vitamin D deficiencies (megaloblastic anemia, osteomalacia)
-
Transient diplopia
-
Dizziness
-
Involuntary movements
-
Mild parasthesias
Question 25
Question
Which five of the following are some of the adverse effects of Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine?
Question 26
Question
Which five of the following are some of the adverse effects of Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine?
Answer
-
Anorexia
-
Nausea
-
Mild parasthesias
-
Dependence
-
Drowsiness
-
Acute pancreatitis
-
Difficulty with speech
-
Insomnia
-
Skin rash
-
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Question 27
Question
Which six of the following are some of the adverse effects of Valproate?
Question 28
Question
Which six of the following are some of the adverse effects of Valproate?
Question 29
Question
Which four of the following are the adverse effects of Ethosuximide?
Answer
-
Fulminant hepatitis
-
Hiccups
-
Vomiting
-
Difficulty with speech
-
Behavioral changes
-
Weight gain
-
Tolerance
-
Dependance
-
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
-
Nausea
Question 30
Question
Which four of the following are the adverse effects of Phenobarbital?
Question 31
Question
Which three of the following are the adverse effects of Clonazepam?
Answer
-
Diplopia
-
Dependance
-
Anorexia
-
Sedation
-
Respiratory depression
-
Gingival hyperplasia
-
Weight gain
-
Tolerance
-
Involuntary movements
-
Polycystic ovaries
Question 32
Question
Which six of the following are the adverse effects of Lamotrigine?
Answer
-
Dizziness
-
Skin rash
-
Hallucinations
-
Confusion
-
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
-
Insomnia
-
Aggression
-
Headache
-
Hiccups
-
Nausea
Question 33
Question
Which six of the following are the adverse effects of Topiramate?
Question 34
Question
Which three of the following are the adverse effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin?
Question 35
Question
Which four of the following are the adverse effects of Levetiracetam?
Answer
-
Irritability
-
Vomiting
-
Transient diplopia
-
Ataxia
-
Headache
-
Depression
-
Nausea
-
Hallucinations
-
Acute pancreatitis
-
Aggression
Question 36
Question
Which two of the following are the adverse effects of Felbamate?
Question 37
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Phenytoin?
Answer
-
Can reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Metabolism inhibited by valproate
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Warfarin: can decrease anticoagulant effect
-
No significant drug interactions
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Interactions due to plasma protein binding
Question 38
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Valproate?
Answer
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Interactions due to plasma protein binding
-
Can reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
No significant drug interactions
-
Can increase plasma levels of carbamazepine metabolite, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, lamotrigine and tricyclic antidepressants
Question 39
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Ethosuximide?
Answer
-
Affected by CYP3A4 inducers
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Metabolism inhibited by valproate
-
Can reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 40
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Phenobarbital?
Answer
-
Reduces blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Warfarin: can decrease anticoagulant effect
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Metabolism inhibited by valproate
-
Can increase plasma levels of carbamazepine metabolite, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, lamotrigine and tricyclic antidepressants
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
Question 41
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Clonazepam?
Answer
-
Interactions due to plasma protein binding
-
Metabolized by CYP3A4
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Can reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Metabolism inhibited by valproate
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 42
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Lamotrigine?
Answer
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Metabolism induced by carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
-
Metabolism inhibited by valproate
-
Oral contraceptives can reduce levels
-
Interactions due to plasma protein binding
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 43
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Lamotrigine?
Answer
-
Can reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Affected by CYP3A4 inducers
-
Warfarin: can decrease anticoagulant effect
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Interactions due to plasma protein binding
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 44
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, and Pregabalin?
Answer
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4
-
Warfarin: can decrease anticoagulant effect
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Can increase plasma levels of carbamazepine metabolite, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, lamotrigine and tricyclic antidepressants
-
Reduces blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 45
Question
Which of the following are the drug-drug interactions of Carbamazepine?
Answer
-
Induces metabolism of phenytoin, ethosuximide, valproate, clonazepam
-
Enzyme inducers can increase clearance
-
Reduces blood levels of contraceptive hormones
-
Drug level affected by CYP3A4 inducers (phenytoin, phenobarbital), inhibitors
-
Can increase plasma levels of carbamazepine metabolite, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, lamotrigine and tricyclic antidepressants
-
Significant enzyme induction: CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein
-
No significant drug interactions
Question 46
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Phenytoin?
Answer
-
Many PO formulations available – IR / ER formulations
-
10-20 mg/L is common therapeutic range
-
Metabolism: dose-dependent capacity-limited pharmacokinetics (zero order metabolism)
-
Oldest non-sedating, anti-seizure drug
-
MUST MONITOR SERUM LEVELS
-
Used in bipolar disorder
-
90% in vascular space is bound to albumin
-
At steady-state, 10% in vascular space, 90% tissue
-
Weight loss common (80% patients; 3-4% bodyweight loss)
-
Takes up to 6 weeks to achieve steady state, depending on dose
Question 47
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Carbamazepine?
Answer
-
Oldest non-sedating, anti-seizure drug
-
Also used for migraine prophylaxis and bipolar disorder
-
Used in children more than adults
-
Adjunctive therapy in children with focal seizures and generalized tonic clonic seizures
-
Induces its own metabolism; t1/2 ~36 hr ~20 hr
-
Used for migraine prophylaxis
-
Used for neuropathic pain
-
Is often Drug of Choice for focal seizures
-
100% renal elimination
-
Monotherapy in >16 yr old for focal seizures
Question 48
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Valproate?
Answer
-
Used in children more than adults
-
Effective and well tolerated so used for many seizure types
-
No longer a drug of 1st choice for women of childbearing potential
-
Many PO formulations available – IR / ER formulations
-
90% protein bound – can be significant
-
Many enzymes responsible for its metabolism (2A6, 2B6, 2C9, UGT, etc.)
-
Weight loss common (80% patients; 3-4% bodyweight loss)
-
Used for migraine prophylaxis
-
Used for neuropathic pain
-
Used for bipolar disorder
Question 49
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Phenobarbital?
Answer
-
Used for febrile seizures
-
100% renal elimination
-
Used for weight management
-
Used in children more than adults
-
Weight loss common (80% patients; 3-4% bodyweight loss)
-
Infrequently used for seizures due to adverse effects and risks
-
Off label use for bipolar disorder
-
Induces its own metabolism; t1/2 ~36 hr ~20 hr
-
Oldest non-sedating, anti-seizure drug
-
Commonly used in monotherapy
Question 50
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Lamotrigine?
Answer
-
Monotherapy in >16 yr old for focal seizures
-
90% in vascular space is bound to albumin
-
Used for migraine prophylaxis
-
Adjunctive therapy in children with focal seizures and generalized tonic clonic seizures
-
Used for weight management
-
Used in children more than adults
-
Used in absence (better tolerated than ethosuximide, valproate)
-
Used in bipolar disorder
-
Used for neuropathic pain
-
Does not induce or inhibit CYP enzymes
Question 51
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Topiramate?
Answer
-
At steady-state, 10% in vascular space, 90% tissue
-
Weight loss common (80% patients; 3-4% bodyweight loss)
-
Used for bipolar disorder
-
Oldest non-sedating, anti-seizure drug
-
Used for migraine prophylaxis
-
Used for weight management
-
Induces its own metabolism; t1/2 ~36 hr ~20 hr
-
Used for neuropathic pain
-
100% renal elimination
-
Adjunctive therapy in children with focal seizures and generalized tonic clonic seizures
Question 52
Question
Which of the following statements are true for Levetiracetam?
Answer
-
90% in vascular space is bound to albumin
-
Used in bipolar disorder
-
Oldest non-sedating, anti-seizure drug
-
Adjunct for Focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
-
Not an inhibitor or inducer of CYP enzymes
-
Commonly used for monotherapy
-
Used for migraine prophylaxis
-
Renal elimination (>70%)
-
Used for weight management
-
Used in children more than adults
Question 53
Question
Principles of AED Therapy
Choose monotherapy agent on basis of seizure [blank_start]type[blank_end] (or epilepsy syndrome if known) & patient-specific considerations (usually [blank_start]adverse effect[blank_end] profile)
Increase to [blank_start]usual[blank_end] effective dose or to a serum level within the therapeutic range
If seizures not controlled - increase gradually to [blank_start]maximal[blank_end] tolerated dose (MTD) = highest dose a patient can tolerate without bothersome adverse effects
If monotherapy fails, choose alternate monotherapy agent and repeat process
If monotherapy fails with several drugs, try [blank_start]adjuvant therapy[blank_end]
Concern is management of [blank_start]adverse effects[blank_end] of two drugs
Answer
-
type
-
adverse effect
-
maximal
-
usual
-
adjuvant therapy
-
adverse effects
Question 54
Question
Which of the following drugs reduce blood levels of contraceptive hormone?
Answer
-
Carbamazepine
-
Phenobarbital
-
Phenytoin
-
Felbamate
-
Lamotrigine
-
Oxcarbazepine
-
Topiramate
Question 55
Question
Antiepileptics are [blank_start]gradually[blank_end] increased to therapeutic concentrations to minimize [blank_start]adverse effects[blank_end] and are withdrawn [blank_start]gradually[blank_end] to reduce the risk of inducing [blank_start]seizures[blank_end].
Answer
-
gradually
-
adverse effects
-
gradually
-
seizures
Question 56
Question
Enhanced vitamin [blank_start]D[blank_end] metabolism can cause osteomalacia (phenytoin, phenobarbital)
Enhanced vitamin [blank_start]K[blank_end] metabolism can cause bleeding disorders (phenytoin, phenobarbital)
Many anti-epileptics enhance [blank_start]metabolism[blank_end] of other anti-epileptics (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
[blank_start]Valproate[blank_end] inhibits metabolism of some anti-epileptics
Question 57
Question
Pregnancy
Teratogenicity: Valproate, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine
Prefer [blank_start]lamotrigine[blank_end] (or levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine)
Can increase drug metabolism, which can [blank_start]reduce[blank_end] seizure control
Need to switch drugs or increase dose?
Question 58
Question
Hepatic disease
Avoid [blank_start]hepatotoxic[blank_end] antiepileptic drugs (e.g., valproate) when possible
Monitor free (unbound) levels of phenytoin, valproate when [blank_start]albumin[blank_end] low
Question 59
Question
Which of the following are contraindications / precautions for Phenytoin?
Answer
-
IV use for patients with sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, second- and third-degree heart block
-
Risk of dependence is high
-
Black box warning on rate of IV administration (<50mg/min)
-
Teratogenic risk
Question 60
Question
Which of the following are contraindications / precautions for Carbamazepine?
Answer
-
HLA-B*1502, common in Asians, linked to 10X increased incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome
-
Teratogenic risk
-
Black box warning on rate of IV administration (<50mg/min)
-
Caution in patients with history of sedative dependence
Question 61
Question
Which of the following are contraindications / precautions for Valproate?
Answer
-
Not used in children <3 yrs because of risk of liver failure
-
IV use for patients with sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, second- and third-degree heart block
-
Do not use in patients with history of sedative addiction
-
Teratogenic risk
Question 62
Question
Which of the following are contraindications / precautions for Phenobarbital?
Answer
-
Risk of dependence is high
-
Do not use in patients with history of sedative addiction
-
Teratogenic risk
-
Black box warning on rate of IV administration (<50mg/min)
Question 63
Question
Which of the following are contraindications / precautions for Clonazepam?
Answer
-
Caution in patients with history of sedative dependence
-
Teratogenic risk
-
IV use for patients with sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, second- and third-degree heart block
-
HLA-B*1502, common in Asians, linked to 10X increased incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome