UTILIZATION AND POLYPHARMACY ASPECTS OF ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUGS IN ELDERLY VERSUS YOUNGER PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

AEDs (antiepileptic drugs) used by several patients with epilepsy in combination. Regarding poly-pharmacy, the group of elderly is susceptible. This research objective was to analyze the utilization of AEDs changes, and the poly-pharmacy extent with other central nervous system agent drugs in old age versus younger patients (as studied through PubMed Database of Norway). This pharmacoepidemiological research comprised all antiepileptic prescriptions, antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs from Norwegian Pharmacies (as gathered through PubMed Database, through NorPD “Norwegian Prescription Database). In this study, variables are the utilization of daily doses, patients, the age of patients, gender and particular reimbursement AEDs codes. The AEDs usage has amplified almost in all groups of ages in this specific Norwegian population-based study (data gathered through PubMed Database). Similarly, the usage of AEDs in neuropathic pain in elderly (mainly pregabalin and gabapentin) have augmented with a ratio of more than 10-fold (as per data gathered from 2004 to 2015, 0.7 to 9.6 DDDs/1000 elderly per day), while the user’s prevalence is four times more as compared with younger patients. In 35% of elderly polypharmacy between antidepressant, antiepileptic and antipsychotic drugs happened in the elderly while 38% in epileptic younger patients. The utilization of enzyme-inducers was ordinary and happened frequently in elderly patients. There were 42 different interactions which found among these drugs. AEDs usage in elderly associated to younger is cumulative, specifically under neuropathic pain. Poly-pharmacy with an antidepressant, antiepileptic and antipsychotic drugs was recognized through one-third patient. Increased drug usage awareness gained with probable interactions of a drug and increased the safety of patients. Keywords: Antidepressant, antiepileptic, antipsychotic drugs, polytherapy, pharmacoepidemiology, utilization, elderl