Question
Enumerate four groups of antiepileptic drugs with examples of each. Mention four newer anti
epileptics. Describe the pharmacological actions, adverse effects and therapeutic uses of any
one of them. (2 + 2+ 2 = 6)
Q1 6 marks Essays ★ ✓
Answer
Four groups of antiepileptics with examples
Hydantoins: Phenytoin
Barbiturates: Phenobarbitone
Iminostilbenes: Carbamazepine
Fatty acid derivatives: Sodium valproate
Four newer antiepileptics
Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, Gabapentin, Topiramate
Pharmacological actions, adverse effects and uses of Sodium Valproate
Mechanism of action
Blocks voltage-gated sodium channels
Increases GABA levels (inhibits GABA transaminase, increases glutamic acid decarboxylase activity)
Also blocks T-type calcium channels (contributing to efficacy in absence seizures)
Uses
Broad-spectrum — generalized tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, partial seizures
Bipolar disorder (mood stabilizer)
Migraine prophylaxis
Adverse effects
Hepatotoxicity (idiosyncratic, more in young children)
Teratogenicity — neural tube defects (highest risk among antiepileptics)
Weight gain
Tremor, alopecia
Thrombocytopenia
GI upset
1 Antiepileptics
Other Years Asked
1 ( 2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Essay · 15 marks 2 Classify Antiepileptic drugs. Explain the mechanism of action, therapeutic uses and
adverse effects of Sodium Valproate. (3+3) 2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 3 Classify antiepileptic drugs. Describe the mechanism of action and adverse effects of
phenytoin (2+2+2) 2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 4 A 30-year-old male was brought to the emergency department reporting a sudden
onset of generalised tonic clonic convulsions and fall, in the nearby supermarket. His
blood pressure and electrolytes were found to be normal. A diagnosis of generalised
tonic clonic seizure was made. 2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 5 A 28 years old man, while working on his computer in an IT company, suddenly went
blank, fell down and appeared to be unconscious. He regains consciousness in the
next 5 minutes but was confused and could not remember what happened. When he
consulted a neurologist, he was diagnosed to have absence seizures. Answer the
following: 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 6 Classify antiepileptic drugs. Explain the mechanism of action, uses and adverse effects
of phenytoin and sodium valproate. List four drugs used in status epilepticus.
(2+3+1) 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 7 Enumerate the newer drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy. Write the mechanism of
action of any two agents. Discuss the line of management of Status Epilepticus.
(2+2+2) 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 8 A one-year-old boy with febrile seizures was brought to the emergency department.
( 2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 9 Briefly describe the mechanism of action, uses and adverse effects of sodium valproate. 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 4 marks 10 Sodium valproate 2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 11 Sodium valproate 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 12 Lamotrigine 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 13 Phenytoin 2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 14 Carbamazepine 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 15 Carbamazepine 2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 16 Valproic acid 2019 February (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 17 Carbamazepine 2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 18 Phenytoin sodium. 2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 19 Status epilepticus. 2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 20 In treatment of absence seizures 2018 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 21 Drugs for absence seizures 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 22 Carbamazepine in treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia
Name the following (Two examples for each): (5x1=5) 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 23 Antiepileptic drugs 2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 24 Drugs used in Absence seizures. 2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 
