EFFICACY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANTI EPILEPTIC DRUGS. Issue 12 (15th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wieshmann, Udo; Baker, Gus
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 87:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: e1
• Page End: e1
• Publication Date: 2016-11-15
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-315106.91
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To ascertain effectiveness and adverse effects of anti epileptic drugs (AED) using the UKAED register (www.ukaed.info). Methods: Patients on Carbamazepine (CBZ) n=91, Valproate (VPA) n=61, Lamotrigine (LTG) n=105, Levetiracetam (LEV) n=72, and healthy control subjects on no medication (CTR) n=51 anonymously provided information on seizure frequency and completed the Liverpool Adverse Event Profile (LAEP). Results: Seizure free rates were similar (CBZ/VPA/LTG/LEV=0.49/0.61/0.54/0.47). Mean LAEPscores were significantly higher in patients than in control subjects (CBZ/VPA/LTG/LEV/CTRL=41.27/42.21/39.66/39.86/43.07/29.69). Tiredness (77%), memory problems (62%), sleepiness (54%), difficulty concentrating (51%), nervousness (50%), restlessness (45%), dizziness (43%), unsteadiness (40%), depression (40%), feeling of anger (37%), shaky hands (34%) were all significantly more frequent in patients than in control subjects. Furthermore, anger and unsteadiness were significantly more frequent in LEV (54%, 51%), shaky hands were significantly more frequent in VPA (46%) and depression was significantly more frequent in CBZ (54%) than in the other three AED. Patients with depression and active epilepsy had significantly higher meanLAEP scores. Conclusion: The efficacy was similar, adverse effects were extremely common. Signifcant associations were found for anger and unsteadiness and LEV, for shaky hands and VPA and depression and CBZ.