Seizure Prophylaxis

Aka: Seizure Prophylaxis

1. See Also
   1. Seizure
   2. Status Epilepticus
   3. First Seizure Evaluation
2. Indications: Definite for Seizure Prophylaxis medication
   1. With structural Lesion
      1. Brain Tumor
         1. Meningioma
         2. Glioma
         3. Neoplastic
      2. Arteriovenous malformation
      3. Infection
         1. Brain abscess
         2. Herpes Encephalitis
   2. Without Structural lesion
      1. Single Seizure followed rapidly by Second Seizure
      2. History of Epilepsy in sibling
      3. Electroencephalogram with definite epileptic pattern
      4. History of prior acute Seizure
         1. Seizure in context of illness
         2. Childhood Febrile Seizure
      5. History of Brain injury
         1. Head Trauma
         2. Cerebrovascular Accident
         3. CNS Infection
      6. Todd's postictal paresis
      7. Status Epilepticus at onset
3. Indications: Possible for Seizure Prophylaxis medication
   1. Unprovoked Seizure (none of the above risk factors)
4. Indications: Not recommended for Seizure Prophylaxis
   1. Alcohol Withdrawal or Drug Withdrawal
   2. Stimulant abuse or Substance Abuse
   3. Seizure in context of acute illness
      1. High fever
      2. Hypoglycemia
      3. Electrolyte abnormality
      4. Hypoxia
   4. Postimpact Seizure
      1. Single Seizure immediately post acute Head Injury
   5. Specific benign Epilepsy syndrome
      1. Febrile Convulsions
      2. Benign Epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
   6. Seizure provoked by excessive sleep deprivation
      1. Example: College student at exam time
5. Management: Medications used for Prophylaxis
   1. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
   2. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
   3. Valproic Acid (Depakene)
   4. Phenobarbital
   5. Gabapentin (Neurontin)
   6. Lamotigrine (Lamictal)
   7. Ocarbazepine (Trileptal)
   8. Topiramate (Topamax)
6. Precautions: Suicidal Ideation
   1. Seizure disorder itself increases risk of Suicidal Ideation by 3 fold over baseline
   2. Anticonvulsant use has also been associated with increased Suicidal Ideation
      1. Kuehn (2008) JAMA 299(10):1121-2