ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by paroxysmal cerebral dysrhythmia. Conventional antiepileptic drugs such as Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone and sodium valproate, have been proven to have good therapeutic effects. There are currently more than 10 different adjuvants which are approved for use in epileptics. Topiramate, a second-generation antiepileptic drug, is being used for several types of partial-onset and generalized-onset seizures. Effective treatment of epilepsy depends on medication compliance. The incidence of adverse effects is an important issue when antiepileptic drugs are prescribed to treat epilepsy. This study was done in Department of Neurology to observe the adverse effects of Topiramate in patients with epilepsy in a Tertiary care hospital.Methods: For this study 100 patients receiving topiramate as an adjuvant drug along with regular anti epileptic drugs were enrolled in the study for prescheduled three months. Data of the patients were collected.Results: In this study we observed that paresthesia (31%) was the commonly noted adverse effect followed by cognitive impairment (24%), sleepiness (19%), nausea (13%), anorexia (9%) and weight loss (4%).Conclusions: Topiramate is a potent antiepileptic drug effective against most seizure types and has relatively favourable pharmacokinetic profile. It is appropriate for initial monotherapy as well as for adjuvant therapy in refractory patients. The major problem limiting its use is the frequent occurrence of cognitive adverse effects, especially expressive language dysfunction, which are reversible upon discontinuation of the medication.