The Influence DF Plasma Level Monitoring of Antiepileptic Drugs on Therapeutic Outcome in Epileptic Outpatients. Part 2: Results

Abstract

No significant differences could be observed in therapeutic outcome between patients of group A and B. In both groups of patients the number of seizures decreased during the study year as compared to seizure frequency of the preceeding control year. The decrease of seizure frequency was accompanied by an increase of plasma concentrations of antiepileptic drugs. The number of patients with all antiepileptic drugs monitored in the therapeutic range increased in both groups from 45% to 56%. There was no difference in drug treatment between the two groups. The number and kind of drugs administered were similar in group A and B. Drug treatment did not change substantially during the study as number and kind of drugs administered to treat the patients was very similar at the beginning and end of the study. Drug compliance was not different in group A and B. In both groups the incidence of side effects were similar. During the study the number of side effects decreased. Common side effects as fatique, headache, and dizziness did not correlate with drug plasma levels. Only for phenobarbital such a correlation was observed. There was, however, a positive correlation between plasma levels and the development of ataxia.