ABSTRACT
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the utilization pattern of antiepileptic drugs and its management which in turn contributes to the promotion of optimal and rational therapy improving patient’s quality of life.
Subject and methods: It was a prospective observational study carried over a period of six months that includes the prescription data of 150 epileptic patients collected from neurology department (OPD) and prescription pattern of the antiepileptic drug was studied. The data was collected using a designed data collection form and analyzed.
Results: 80.4% of 150 cases belonged to age group 15-45 years and 76.52% were males. The majority (>60% cases) were unskilled workers and of low socio-economic status. Family history of seizures was present in 18.9% of cases. Mean age of onset of seizure was found to be 28.32 years. The proportion of generalized tonic-clonic seizure cases was 84.4%. Secondary seizures were seen in 15 (25.8%) cases with the most common cause being alcohol withdrawal (22.4%). Focal seizures were present in 5.17% of cases. Monotherapy was the most commonly followed and phenytoin was the most popular anti-epileptic drug (AED) used. Non-compliance with AEDs was seen in 25.8% of cases. Drowsiness was the commonest ADR reported (6.28%). Phenytoin accounted for almost all of the ADRs collected and evaluated.
Conclusion: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy was the commonest type of epilepsy recorded. Monotherapy was preferred in most of the cases and frequent use of newer AED namely levetiracetam. Seizure manifestations and treatment compliance vary widely in the studied population. In-depth analysis of each seizure type will give more information about the factors associated with it.
Keywords: Compliance, Drug Utilization pattern, Seizures, Treatment.