A Prospective Observational Study on Drug Utilization of Antiepileptic Medications Used During Treatment at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Nilofer Shams*, Syed Faiz Ullah Hussain, Mohsin Ullah Khan, Musa Khan and Javed Akhter Ansari
ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal neuronal discharges. This study aims to analyze the drug utilization patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), assess adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and understand seizure types in a tertiary care hospital setting.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over six months in the Department of General Medicine, Osmania General Hospital. A total of 150 patients aged above 18 years with diagnosed epilepsy were enrolled. Data on demographics, seizure types, AED prescriptions, and ADRs were collected and analyzed.
Results: Majority of patients were males (76.52%) within the 15–45 years age group (80.4%). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) constituted 53.3% of cases. Phenytoin was the most commonly prescribed AED (51.33%), followed by benzodiazepines (17.33%), sodium valproate (9.33%), levetiracetam (15.33%), and carbamazepine (5%). ADRs were most common in the 41–60 years age group, predominantly dermatological and CNS-related.
Conclusion: Phenytoin remains the primary AED in this population. Rational prescribing, monitoring for ADRs, and patient adherence education are crucial to optimize epilepsy management.
