Estudo clínico-laboratorial do uso de fenobarbital como anticonvulsivante entre pacientes do Hospital Universitário Alcides Carneiro (HUAC)

Abstract

Introduction: This study characterized the profile of patients treated at the “Alcides Carneiro” University Hospital (HUAC), users of phenobarbital in order to support actions of therapeutic drug monitoring. Methods: Fifty patients were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Results: It was observed that 50% of patients have been using the drug for a long time (7.68 years on average). About 74% of respondents are under monotherapy and 59.5% of these have their seizures controlled. The patients under monotherapy have more chance of success in controlling seizures. The main anticonvulsant drug combination observed was phenobarbital with carbamazepine (66% of patients). Sedation and dizziness are among the main adverse effects, reported by 34% of patients. Monotherapy seems to be a protective factor only for adverse effect dizziness (OR=3.1). Conclusions: The analysis of these and other results presented in this paper may be useful in promoting rational use of anticonvulsants at the HUAC.