Drug Utilization Pattern of Antiepileptic Drugs: a Pharmacoepidemiologic and Pharmacovigilance Study in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in India

Objective: Epilepsy is the second most common chronic neurological condition seen by neurologists. It is estimated that there are 55, 00,000 persons with epilepsy in India. So, the present study aims at getting an insight into the type of epileptic seizures prevalent in a tertiary referral teaching Hospital in eastern India, to describe the drug utilization pattern of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the management of various forms of epileptic seizures over a period of one year and to investigate the pattern and extent of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with AEDs. Methods: Data from five hundred twenty eight patients with epilepsy at the outpatient of Neurology Department, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack was collected according to detailed semi-structured questionnaire. The data includes demographic data, AEDs data and ADR data. Results and Discussion: Tonic clonic seizures were most prominent followed by complex partial seizures. Most of patients are young and epileptic seizures are more common in man. 47% of cases are refractory. Polytherpy was most frequently used in all type of epileptic seizures. Sodium Valproate was the most frequently prescribed AED followed by Phenytion sodium and Carbamazepine. The drugs prescribed are mainly from the Essential drug list. The ADRs are found to mild and predominant in female. Conclusion: This study strongly highlights the need for therapeutic drug monitoring of epileptic patients. Measures should be taken to improve rational use of antiepileptic drugs to minimise the number of refractory cases of epilepsy. There is under utilization of newer AEDs. Inclusion of newer AEDs like Lamotrigine, Topiramate etc in the Essential Drug List is recommended. Female patients need special attention during medication.