DRUG UTILISATION STUDY OF ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUGS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Dr. Manasi Limaye, Dr. Abhijeet V. Tilak, Dr. Mohanish Vaidya*, Dr. Sayan Das, Dr. Revati Kothari and Dr. S. A. Dabhade
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Epilepsy describes a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures due to a chronic, underlying process. 70 million people have epilepsy worldwide and nearly 90% of them are found in developing regions. Many patients have to be on treatment for a long period. Studies on antiepileptic drug utilization are important for the optimization of drug therapy and drug control. Aim: To study drug utilization pattern of antiepileptic drugs. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Pune,India. Cases taking antiepileptic drugs for Epilepsy and seeking care in Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital OPD and fulfilling the criteria were considered. Prescription of at least one Antiepileptic drug (AED) was the most important criteria. Evaluation was done on the basis of prescription data recorded. Results and Discussion: . Out of total 150 cases, in 48 cases (32%) single conventional AEDs was prescribed & in 10 cases (6.6%) single newer AEDs were prescribed. In 92 cases (61.3%) two or more AEDs were prescribed. Among total 293 prescribed AEDs, 214 prescription (73%) were conventional AEDs and 79 prescription (27%) were newer AEDs. The most commonly prescribed drug was Valproate (28.6%), followed by carbamazepine (23.8%) and phenytoin (18%). Among the newer AEDs prescription the commonest was levetiracetam (16.7%) followed by lamotrigine (7.8%). In GTCS the most common prescription was carbamazepine (45.3%) and Valproate (45.3%). Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study we conlude that polytherapy was commonly used in all types of epileptic seizures & the most commonly prescribed AED was sodium valproate, followed by carbamazepine, phenytoin and the new generation AED, Levetiracetam.
Keywords: Epilepsy, Drug Utilisation study, Prescription pattern, Monotherapy, Polytherapy, Antiepileptics, Phenytoin.
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