Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

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  Assessment of minimal therapeutically dosage of Carbamazepine and Valproate in control of Epileptic attacks

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  A. Samaei ¹* MD , M. Nobahar ² MSc , A.A. Vafaei ³ Ph.D

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  1- Assistant Professor of Neurology, Fatemiah Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences

  2- Academic Member, Nursing, Semnan University of Medical Sciences

  3- Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences

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  Background: Previous studies have shown that physicians use a very high dosage of carbamazepine (CBZ) and Valproate (VPA) to control epileptic attacks, while these drugs incur of many side effects include of gastrointestinal, hematology, psychology, cardiology and…). The aim of this study was to reach the least therapeutically dose while keeping an acceptable blood level.

  Material and Methods: This is a semi experimental study that done on 56 epileptic patients in during of one year. At the first time we record of demographic data include of age, sex, weight and period of drug usage. Then we prescript of drug (CBZ and VPA in adult were 9-11 and 12-14 mg/kg and in children were 9-12 and 12-15 mg/kg respectively). Then we measurement of serum levels of CBZ and VPA monthly by gaschromatography methods.

  Results: The results indicated that serum levels of CBZ and VPA in adult were 7.4 and 74.7 and serum levels of drugs in children were 8.2 and 66.8 respectively. Also patients have not epilepsy attack in during of assessment.

  Conclusion: T hese findings show that with the much lower dosage of the drugs we can reach an appropriate blood level for controlling epileptic seizures.

  Key words: Epilepsy, Carbamazepine, Valproate

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  * Corresponding author, tel: (231) 3322335