The role of therapeutic drug monitoring in the care of epileptic patients.

Plasma concentrations of anti-epileptic drugs were measured in outpatients with a positive diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. Dosage adjustments were based on pharmacokinetic principles to obtain optimal seizure control and drug utilization. By means of the sign test the decrease in the frequency of seizures was shown to be statistically significant (P = 0,00024), as was the decrease in the number of anti-epileptic drugs being used concurrently (P = 0,00098). Combined with judicious clinical observation, measurement of blood levels of antiepileptic drugs can contribute greatly to the successful management of the epileptic patient.