Newer Antiepileptic Drugs Discontinuation due to Adverse Effects: An Observational Study

AIMS: Antiepileptic drugs are the main therapy for epilepsy. However, the incidence of adverse effects (AEs) results in treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study is evaluating the factors involved in discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: We studied 2797 epileptic patients who consumed levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine (OXC), topiramate (TPM), zonisamide (ZNS), rufinamide, and lacosamide to evaluate the discontinuation because of AEs. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. RESULTS: This study showed the rate of discontinuation due to adverse reactions as follows: TPM (7.10%), OXC (4.5%), ZNS (1.8%), and LEV (1.6%) (Chi-square analysis, P < 0.0001). Our study also showed that 1.35% of the patients did not continue the therapy because of subjective experiences of the AEs. Furthermore, neurologic complications in TPM, skin rashes in OXC, and patients' subjective experiences in LEV prescription were the main reasons for nonadherence due to a AEs. CONCLUSIONS: AEs in newer antiepileptic drugs are extremely prevalent. Our observation revealed that skin rashes and paresthesia were the most probable causes of treatment discontinuation because of AEs.