ارزيابي استفاده از حداقل دوره درماني كار با مازپين و والپرات سديم در كنترل حملات صرع

Assessment of Minimal Therapeutic Doses of Carbamazepine and Sodium Valproate in Control of Epileptic Attacks

Background: Previous studies have shown that physicians use high doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) to control epileptic attacks, while these drugs incur many side effects including gastrointestinal, hematologic, psychiatric, cardiac and other side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum therapeutic dose with an acceptable blood level of these drugs. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done in 56 epileptic patients during one year. First the demographic data including age, sex, weight and the period of drug taking was recorded. Then the drugs CBZ and VPA were prescribed to adults (more than 12 years old) 9-l lmg/kg, and 12-14 mg/kg repectively, and in children (less than 12 years old) 12-14 and 12-15 mg/kg respectively. Serum levels of CBZ and VPA were measured monthly by gas chromatography. Results: The results indicated that serum levels of CBZ and VPA were 7.4 and 74.7pg/mi in adults and 8.2 and 66.8pg/ml in children respectively, and patients did not have epilepsy attack during the period of assessment. Conclusion: These findings showed that with a much lower dosage of the drugs, which is suggested in texts, can lead to an appropriate blood level of CBZ and VPA for controlling the epileptic seizures.