Prescribing Pattern of Antiepileptic Drugs and Patients Compliance to Treatment; A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bengaluru

Background: Antiepileptic drugs are mainly used to manage epilepsy and can also be prescribed for other neurological conditions. However, usage patterns and adherence can vary based on patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatment complexity. This study evaluates AED prescribing trends, adherence levels, and the factors influencing adherence in a tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study involving 106 patients was conducted over six months. AED usage patterns and adherence levels using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 were analyzed. The correlation between variables and adherence levels was assessed using the Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Test in IBM SPSS statistics 29.0.2.0 software. Results: The study found that 58.49% of patients were male, with an average age of 56.86 years. Monotherapy was prescribed to 81.13% of patients, with levetiracetam being the most commonly used AED (64.2%). Adherence was high, with 78.3% of patients showing good adherence, though those on polytherapy had significantly lower adherence (p<0.01) consistent with. Adverse drug reactions, such as behavioral abnormalities with levetiracetam, anemia induced by phenytoin, and sedation by clobazam, were associated with poor adherence (p=0.031). The study also highlighted discrepancies between the defined daily dose and the prescribed daily dose, with drugs like levetiracetam and carbamazepine. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of personalized AED dosing to balance efficacy and tolerability. Simplifying treatment regimens and managing ADRs are key strategies for improving adherence and optimizing treatment outcomes.