Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician License Practice Test

Which drug is commonly used as a first-line treatment for seizures?

1. Depakote

2. Ibuprofen

3. Amoxicillin

4. Metformin

The correct answer is: Depakote

The correct choice is Depakote, which is commonly used as a first-line treatment for seizures, particularly in individuals with epilepsy. Depakote, or divalproex sodium, works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain. It is effective for managing various types of seizures, including generalized tonic-clonic seizures and absence seizures, making it a widely prescribed medication in the field of neurology. Other options, such as ibuprofen, are primarily used as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and they do not have antiepileptic properties. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and is not relevant to seizure management. Metformin is utilized in the management of type 2 diabetes and does not serve any purpose in treating seizures either. Therefore, the focus on antiepileptic medication solidifies the understanding of why Depakote is singled out as the appropriate drug for this context.