Publication:

Drug utilization study of antiepileptic drugs in tertiary care hospital

Background Study of the epidemiology of epilepsy and is of immense value in understanding the causes, outcome and prevention of epilepsy. It is also useful in planning proper services for persons with epilepsy and improving their quality of life. There is an urgent need for studies regarding incidence of epilepsy, prevalence of epilepsy syndromes, risk factors, and pharmacotherapy data from developing countries such as India.

Methods A prospective observational study. All ages, either gender receiving Antiepileptic prescription in epilepsy OPD. 6 months study duration.

Results Prescription of 562 patients was studied. The demographic data revealed that number of male and female patients were 53% and 47% respectively. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures accounted for almost 62%, followed by partial seizures, myoclonic seizures and others (traumatic, infectious, systemic disorder, metabolic derangement). Monotherapy was used in majority of patients.

Conclusions Drug utilization studies have always helped in modifying the prescription guidelines according to the pattern of diseases coming to the healthcare centres. These kinds of studies have an important role in studying and making rational prescription and making drug utilization at most useful to the patients.