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Pharmacology for Technicians PTCB Test Prep
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Anticonvulsant Drugs to Know for the PTCB Exam!

Dec 24th, 2020
anticonvulsant drugs

Introduction to Antiepileptic Drugs

There are many kinds of anticonvulsant drugs to know for the PTCB exam. Anticonvulsant drugs are also known as antiepileptic drugs – drugs used to treat patients who suffer from seizures.

Below, we have put together the most common examples – from phenytoin and carbamazepine to valproate, ethosuximide, and lamotrigine. Though this is not an exhaustive list of medicines, it does represent the fifteen most common antiepileptic drugs that you are likely to encounter both as a pharmacy technician and asked about during the PTCB test.

You are unlikely to be asked which specific seizure each drug treats. However, you should be aware that each of these drugs is used to treat at least one kind of seizure. Some of these medicines are also used to treat other conditions. For example, pregabalin is also used to treat fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, anxiety, and restless legs syndrome.

There are other, older drug classes which we have excluded from this list because they are rarely if ever used, not least due to adverse effect profiles. Barbiturates – such as phenobarbital – is one such example. From 1912-1938, phenobarbital was the most used anticonvulsant medicine, before it was superseded by phenytoin from that year onwards. Phenobarbital may still be used though it is typically only used in treatment-resistant cases where other, first and second-line drugs, have proven insufficient or ineffective.

There are many kinds of seizure – from partial and tonic-clonic, to myoclonic and absence seizures – among others. For the PTCB examination, students are not required to know the differences between these types, nor are students expected to know what drug is used to treat what specific seizure. However, if you would like to learn more about the various kinds of seizures, we recommend visiting the CDC website for the sound foundation on this topic.

15 Most Common Anticonvulsant Drugs!

DrugBrandIndications
ValproateDepaconAbsence seizures
Partial seizures
Generalized seizures
VigabatrinSabril
Vigadrone
Partial seizures
Generalized seizures
Ethosuximide ZarontinAbsence seizures
ZonisamideZonegranPartial seizures
Diazepam
Midazolam
Lorazepam
Valium
Versed
Ativan
Status epilepticus
PhenytoinDilantinStatus epilepticus
Prevent seizures in surgery
Tonic-clonic seizures
Focal seizures
OxcarbazepineOxtellar XR
Trileptal
Partial seizures
CarbamazepineTegretol
Carbatrol
Epitol
Partial seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
LevetiracetamKeppra
Roweepra
Partial onset seizures
Myoclonic seizures
BrivaracetamBriviactPartial onset seizures
LamotrigineLamictalAbsence seizures
Myoclonic seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
GabapentinNeurontin
Gralise
Gabarone
Horizant
Partial seizures
PregabalinLyricaPartial seizures

Check back to our PTCB blog soon for more information on the facts you need to know to master the exam and become a qualified pharmacy technician in the United States!