Assessing the pharmaceutical care issues of antiepileptic drug therapy in hospitalised epileptic patients

• Published in: Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research
• Main Author: Manan M.M.; Rusli R.A.; Ang W.C.; Al-Worafi Y.M.A.; Ming L.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia 2014
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84919340565&doi=10.1002%2fjppr.1001&partnerID=40&md5=0ce47481107407c4f4e68500ad56b566

Background: Studies concerning epilepsy in the contex t of pharmaceutical care in Malaysia are Iaking. Optimal pharmacotherapy man­agement is necessary to achieve good seizure control. Aim: To determine the pharmaceutical care issue in hospitalised epileptic patients. The factors associated with uncontrolled seizure and hospitalisation and the drug-related problems encountered are also described. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted on 65 hospitalised epileptic patients until discharge. Prediction of dose adequacy and adherence, assessment of drug-related problems, adherence and outcome measurement of seizure control were analysed. Results: Overall, 56.9% of patients defaulted from antiepileptic drug doses prior to seizure attack. The remaining 43.l% were affected by emotional stress, fever, weather and alcohol. The drug-related problems identified were non-adherence to medication (64.6%), dose inildequacy (51.9%), under-reporting of adverse effects (76.2%), under-utilisation of therapeutic drug monitoring services (41.5%) and inappropriateness of therapy in patients with liver disease. Nevertheless, medication adherence was found to be the major factor for uncontrolled pilepsy (odds ratio= 7.06, confidence interval = 1.29-38.56, p = 0.019). Among the non-adherers, only 19% received medication Counsclling upon discharge (p = 0.043).Conclusion: Pharmacists need to address the drug-related problems in order to optimise drug therapy and achieve the desired treatment goil. © 2014 Society of Hospital Pharmasists of Australia.