Abstract

A STUDY ON TRENDS IN PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTI EPILEPTIC DRUGS IN PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR

Sami Parajuli*, Kejeeya Baskota and Mahadevamma L

ABSTRACT

Background: Epilepsy is the condition of recurrent spontaneous seizures arising from aberrant electrical activity within the brain. Although AEDs are primarily prescribed for epileptic seizures, they are also used for other co- morbidities, such as neuropathic pain, particularly diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia, migraine prophylaxis and bipolar disorder. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to study the trends in prescription pattern of AEDs. Methodology: It was a prospective observational study carried out for a period of 06 months. Data were obtained from department of Neurology and Medical department. Those who met the inclusive criteria were enrolled for the study. Patients admitted to those wards were screened for use of anti epileptic agent. Results: Out of 206 patients 131 (63.6%) were male and 57 (36.4%) were female. Adults were more prescribed with AEDs (56.8%) than geriatric (34.5%) and pediatric (8.7%). AEDs were also prescribed to non seizure patients 64.1% and the most common type of seizures were GTCS(21.4%), GCS(6.8%), Focal Seizure(5.8%), complex partial seizures(0.5%).The most common drug prescribed was Levetitacetam 120(41.6%), phenytoin 67 (22.5%), Diazepam 22(7.6%). In diagnosis 51(24.8%) of the patients had seizures, 21(10.1%) had epilepsy, 18(8.8%) had brain tumors,6(2.9%) had Diabetic neuropathy. Conclusion: In this study GTCS was most common diagnosis and newer AED were commonly used. Levetitacetam was commonest prescribed AED as monotherapy followed by phenytoin, diazepam, carbamazepine. Minor interaction between phenytoin and pantoprazole were found.

Keywords: Epilepsy, AEDs, Prescription.