It's been a while since my last post. Since April I've had exams, gone back to school, started my new role as Head Boy, been starting UCAS applications and choosing universities and also had Biology Field Trips to Aberystwyth and the Galapagos! It's definitely been a busy Summer, so the blog was put on the backburner for a bit, but hopefully now I'll be able to make regular posts again!
I was thinking about all the various different things I could post about, and decided I'd look into the medications I have experience with and what they're used for. All of these I have used through my work with Mencap, so some are used to treat fairly similar conditions e.g. Epilepsy.
N.B. In each case, the medication I've dealt with is put with its brand name on the left and the generic name on the in italics.
Keppra - Levetiracetam
This is a medicine used to treat Epilepsy - either myoclonic, partial or generalised seizures. Levetiracetam helps control electrical activity in the brain and so helps reduce the chance of having seizures. Different doses of this medication are available and in some cases the doses increase over time.
Levetiracetam has numerous side effects, both affecting the body and mind. Some examples include eczema, vomiting, diarrhoea, mood changes and thoughts about suicide.
Imodium - Imodium
Imodium is used to treat diarrhoea. It works by slowing down the muscle movements in the gut, which increases the total time in the gut so more water is absorbed, meaning the stools are firmer and are passed less frequently.
Side effects range from common, including constipation and nausea, to uncommon and rare, which includes hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock) and coordination problems.
Phenytoin - Phenytoin
Phenytoin is used to treat a variety of different conditions, such as pain, neurotic pain and epilepsy. In my experience the medication has been used to treat epilepsy. Phenytoin is used to treat partial or generalised seizures by helping control the electrical activity in the brain, and so like Keppra helps control seizures and so is anticonvulsant. Like Keppra, the dosage of Phenytoin is gradually increased to control the condition.
Unlike the two medications above, Phenytoin does interact with alcohol and so cannot be taken with alcohol. There is a huge range of drugs that may interact with Phenytoin and so cannot be taken in conjunction, such as Vitamin D, warfarin, diazepam and doxycycline.
Phenytoin also has numerous side effects, some of which include dizziness, headaches, rashes, tremors and suicidal tendencies. Status epilepticus can also occur if this medication is stopped abruptly.
Lacosamide - Lacosamide
Lacosamide is used to treat partial epilepsy. Like most of the other medications it is available in tablet form or oral solution. Again the dosage may be increased over time. Interestingly, this medication may interact with Phenytoin and Midazolam, but can be used in conjunction if the prescriber thinks the benefits may outweigh the risks.
Again this medication has many side effects, which can include rashes, balance problems, double vision or rarely hallucinations.
Buccal Midazolam - Midazolam Hydrochloride
Midazolam can be used in a variety of ways including treating insomnia, convulsions and as a sedative. In my experience, Buccal Midazolam is used to stop convulsions in prolonged tonic clonic seizures or during status epilepticus. I've never actually had to administer Buccal Midazolam, although I am trained to. This medication interacts with grapefruit juice and so cannot be taken with this fruit juice as it increases the amount of midazolam in the blood. As midazolam should only be taken in the lowest amount to avoid dependence, this is not recommended.
Midazolam Hydrochloride can cause a range of side effects: aggression, rashes, vomiting, cardiac arrest and respiratory depression.
Rectal Diazepam - Diazepam
Diazepam is used in a variety of ways - for aggression, alcohol dependence and withdrawal, epilepsy, anxiety and more. My experience of Diazepam has been with rectal diazepam in order to stop prolonged tonic clonic seizures or status epilepticus. Again, although I have been trained to administer this drug, I have never actually had to. Alcohol and smoking, along with other drugs, such as Phenytoin, can interact with this drug, so taking these as well as Diazepam in not recommended.
Side effects of Diazepam are numerous and can include nausea, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, tremors and even psychological problems and behavioural changes.
