[Consumption of antiepileptics in 1993-2004 using various methods]

Drug utilization expresses the exposition of a drug in the relationship with determined population, certain time period, and specific socioeconomic background. The aim of this study was to compare the antiepileptic drug utilization (N03A) in the Czech Republic (CR) and in Ostrava University Hospital (FNsP). The sources of the data were I) wholesale data (SUKL, CR), II) prescriptions (UZIS, CR), III) request forms (FNsP), IV) request forms for therapeutic drug monitoring (FNsP). The utilization was expressed in DDD/TID (I, II), or in DDD/100 BD in neurological departments (III) on 5th or 4th level, resp. ATC/DDD index 2001, for levetiracetam 2004. Carbamazepine had the highest utilization that was increasing in the CR, while remaining high and constant in FNsP. The utilization of valproic acid is increasing. The number of patients shows greater prescription than utilization in DDD. The utilization of phenytoin was high in the CR, but diminished in FNsP. The number of patients was lower than expected. The utilization of barbiturates was considerable in the CR, but below the average in FNsP. The utilization of clonazepam and N03AX was increasing. The most important substance there was lamotrigin. The outcomes are in agreement with current recommendations. The utilization in FNsP and CR follows the same trend with a faster shift to newer drugs in FNsP.