12: Anticonvulsant Drugs and Drugs to Treat Epilepsy, Migraine Headaches, and Intracranial Emergencies
- Page ID
- 90326
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 12.0: Introduction
- This page discusses the nervous system, highlighting the brain's role as the control center for bodily functions, including movement, sensation, thought, and emotion. It explains how the brain processes information and coordinates responses while addressing disorders like epilepsy, seizures, and migraines that can affect its functionality. The chapter will also cover the effects of these conditions on the brain and the medications typically used for treatment.
- 12.1: Epilepsy and Anticonvulsant Drugs
- This page encompasses an overview of epilepsy, detailing its pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnostic techniques, alongside types of seizures. It elaborates on various anticonvulsant medications, including specific drugs, dosages, and adverse effects, while stressing the importance of monitoring and potential interactions.
- 12.2: Migraine Headaches and Migraine Headache Drugs
- This page provides a comprehensive overview of migraine headaches, detailing their causes, symptoms, and diagnostic methods. It emphasizes treatment options, including triptans, ergotamine tartrate, and newer medications like lasmiditan and rimegepant, alongside their mechanisms, dosages, and potential side effects. The importance of patient education, assessment of triggers, and monitoring for complications is highlighted to ensure safe and effective management of migraines.
- 12.3: Intracranial Emergencies and Intracranial Emergency Drugs
- This page discusses the pathophysiology, clinical signs, causes, diagnostics, and drug treatments of common intracranial emergencies like increased intracranial pressure and cerebral edema. It underscores the need for early detection and intervention to avoid severe consequences. Mannitol, an osmotic diuretic, is notably mentioned for its management role, including its mechanisms and nursing considerations.
- 12.4: Chapter Summary
- This page summarizes essential medical conditions like epilepsy, migraine headaches, and intracranial emergencies, detailing their causes, symptoms, and diagnostic methods. It reviews classifications and treatments, including anticonvulsants, triptans, and medications for intracranial hypertension, while highlighting the importance of nursing considerations and patient education regarding medication management.
- 12.5: Key Terms
- This page provides an overview of neurological conditions and their treatments, including key concepts such as abortive therapy, absence seizures, and anticonvulsant drugs. It categorizes different seizure types—focal, generalized, and grand mal—and discusses related neurological terms like cerebral edema and intracranial pressure. Diagnostic methods such as CT, MRI, and EEG are emphasized, alongside the importance of conditions like epilepsy and migraines.
- 12.6: Review Questions
- This page includes exercises and solutions focused on nursing interventions, medication administration, and client education for conditions like seizures and migraines. It covers key topics such as patient positioning for mannitol, dosage calculations for medications like valproic acid and phenytoin, and potential side effects of ethosuximide and levetiracetam.


