Practices Associated with Serum Antiepileptic Drug Level Monitoring at a Pediatric Neurology Clinic: A Malaysian Experience

Salih, M. R. M. and Bahari, M. B. and Hassali, M. A. A. and Shafie, A. A. and Al-lela, Omer Qutaiba and Abd, A. Y. and Ganesan, V. (2013) Practices Associated with Serum Antiepileptic Drug Level Monitoring at a Pediatric Neurology Clinic: A Malaysian Experience. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 26 (3). pp. 192-197. ISSN 0897-1900

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the practices associated with the application of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in the management of children with structural-metabolic epilepsy. METHODS: It was a retrospective chart review and included children aged ≥2 years old with structural-metabolic epilepsy, treated with AEDs, and received TDM. The data were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified with 50 TDM assays. In two thirds of the assays, "check level" and "recheck level" were the reasons behind the requesting of serum level monitoring of AEDs. Knowledge of serum AED levels led to alterations in the management in 60% of the assays. Thirty-two (76%) pediatrician's actions were consistent with the recommendation of TDM pharmacist. Forty-nine (98%) levels were appropriately indicated. In relation to the appropriateness of sampling time, 9 (18%) levels were not assessed due to missing data. Twenty-seven (54%) levels were appropriately sampled. CONCLUSIONS: More studies should be designed to improve the component of the current TDM request form, especially in the reason section. By the same token, the number of pointless assays and the costs to the health care system can be reduced both by enhancing and improving the educational standards of the requesting neurologists.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6773/31762
Uncontrolled Keywords:	epilepsy; Malaysia; neurology; pediatrics; therapeutic drug monitoring
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Pharmacy
Depositing User:	Nur' Aini Abu Bakar
Date Deposited:	24 Mar 2014 16:39
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2014 16:39
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/31762

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