Abstract
We assessed the utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 1999-2005, in 4,798 prospective epilepsy pregnancies from 38 countries participating in EURAP, an international AED and pregnancy registry. Prominent differences in utilization patterns were observed across the various countries. Exposure to second-generation AEDs ranged from 3.5% in India and 7.3% in Italy to 75% in Denmark. Even wider variation was recorded in exposure to individual AEDs. The utilization of second-generation AEDs increased over time (for lamotrigine, from 9.9% of all pregnancies before 2001 to 29.6% after 2003). The differences in use of individual AEDs across countries probably reflect lack of evidence concerning the optimal treatment of epilepsy in women of childbearing age, as well as variation in country-specific traditions, medication costs, and drug promotion. Our observations underscore the need for comparative studies to investigate the factors influencing the prescription of AEDs during pregnancy, as well as their influence on pregnancy outcome.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2305-2309 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Epilepsia |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2009 |
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Keywords
- Antiepileptic drugs
- Drug utilization
- Epilepsy
- Pregnancy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
Cite this
Utilization of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy : Comparative patterns in 38 countries based on data from the EURAP registry. / Battino, Dina.
In: Epilepsia, Vol. 50, No. 10, 10.2009, p. 2305-2309.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Utilization of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy
T2 - Comparative patterns in 38 countries based on data from the EURAP registry
AU - Battino, Dina
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - We assessed the utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 1999-2005, in 4,798 prospective epilepsy pregnancies from 38 countries participating in EURAP, an international AED and pregnancy registry. Prominent differences in utilization patterns were observed across the various countries. Exposure to second-generation AEDs ranged from 3.5% in India and 7.3% in Italy to 75% in Denmark. Even wider variation was recorded in exposure to individual AEDs. The utilization of second-generation AEDs increased over time (for lamotrigine, from 9.9% of all pregnancies before 2001 to 29.6% after 2003). The differences in use of individual AEDs across countries probably reflect lack of evidence concerning the optimal treatment of epilepsy in women of childbearing age, as well as variation in country-specific traditions, medication costs, and drug promotion. Our observations underscore the need for comparative studies to investigate the factors influencing the prescription of AEDs during pregnancy, as well as their influence on pregnancy outcome.
AB - We assessed the utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 1999-2005, in 4,798 prospective epilepsy pregnancies from 38 countries participating in EURAP, an international AED and pregnancy registry. Prominent differences in utilization patterns were observed across the various countries. Exposure to second-generation AEDs ranged from 3.5% in India and 7.3% in Italy to 75% in Denmark. Even wider variation was recorded in exposure to individual AEDs. The utilization of second-generation AEDs increased over time (for lamotrigine, from 9.9% of all pregnancies before 2001 to 29.6% after 2003). The differences in use of individual AEDs across countries probably reflect lack of evidence concerning the optimal treatment of epilepsy in women of childbearing age, as well as variation in country-specific traditions, medication costs, and drug promotion. Our observations underscore the need for comparative studies to investigate the factors influencing the prescription of AEDs during pregnancy, as well as their influence on pregnancy outcome.
KW - Antiepileptic drugs
KW - Drug utilization
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Pregnancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70349322859&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70349322859&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02093.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02093.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19453723
AN - SCOPUS:70349322859
VL - 50
SP - 2305
EP - 2309
JO - Epilepsia
JF - Epilepsia
SN - 0013-9580
IS - 10
ER -