Adverse Drug Reactions of Antiepileptic Drugs in Neurology Department of M.Y.H Indore, India: An Observational, Prospective Study

Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder that affects 1 percent of globalpopulation. Since antiepileptics have narrow therapeutic index having multiple adverse drug reactions (ADRs)thus have significant safety concerns. The aim of this study was to observe adverse drug reactions due toantiepileptics in neurology department M.Y.H. Indore, India.

An observational prospective study was done from November 2021 to January 2022. Patients havinghistory of seizures attending neurology outpatient department at MYH Hospital, who were on antiepilepticdrugs were recruited. Suspected adverse drug reaction forms were recorded and their causality assessment wasdone by Naranjo’s scale.

Data of total 70 patients were recorded. Males reporting ADRs due to antiepileptics were67.1% and females 32.8%. Using Naranjo’s scale, we noted 93.3% ADRs as “probable” and 6.7% as“possible”. Common causes of prescribing antiepileptic drugs were known case of epilepsy (78.5%),oldcase of neurocysticercosis (11.4%),post traumatic(4.3%),gliosis (2.8%) and tuberculoma (2.8%). MostADRs were dermatological 76% (rashes),central nervous system (16%) (nocturnal enuresis, poor schoolperformance, dizziness, headache, sleep disturbances, personality changes) ,Gastrointestinal (8%) (gastricirritation, nausea, vomiting and hepatotoxicity) .Most common drug for causing ADRs were sodiumvalproate(58.5%),carbamazepine(17.14%),phenytoin(14.2%),leviteracetam(7.1%),and lamotrigine(2.8%).

Our study aimed us to know the incidence and patterns of adverse drug reactions due toantiepileptics in a tertiary care institute of central India. Despite of recent advances and novel therapies usedfor the treatment of epilepsy, conventional drugs like sodium valproate, phenytoin and carbamazepine still arethe first choice for the management and treatment of seizures and their ADRs are very common.