Patterns of antiepileptic drugs use in epileptic pediatric patients in Jordan

To determine prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, and to provide knowledge of general practice of physicians.

The study was a multi-center crosssectional observational study, in specialized clinics for management of epilepsy in north, central and south Jordan. This study was conducted from January 2014 to July 2014. These were 3 from university tertiary care hospitals and 4 from governmental tertiary care hospitals.

A total of 694 pediatric patients were included. Monotherapy AED use had the highest frequency 465 (67.0%), followed by dual therapy 162 (23.3%). The frequency of monotherapy in university hospitals was lower than governmental hospitals (p<0.05); however, Polytherapy was more frequent in younger children. Two old AEDs were most frequently prescribed as a monotherapy; Valproic acid 235 (50.5%) and carbamazepine 155 (33.3%). The most common combination in dual therapy was valproic acid with carbamazepine 28 (17.3%). The second most common combinations were carbamazepine with levetiracetam 21 (13.0%) or valproic acid with levetiracetam 20 (12.3%).

Older AED remain first line drugs for use in both monotherapy and combination therapy for epileptic disorders. Polytherapy is associated with younger kids and being treated in a university hospital.