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Karbamazepin ve valproik asitin terapötik ilaç izlemesi: epilepsi hastalarında bireyler arası değişkenlik

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 5, 884 - 888, 16.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1751139

Abstract

Giriş: Epilepsi, dünya nüfusunun %1-3’ünü etkileyen, tekrarlayan nöbetlerle seyreden kronik bir nörolojik hastalıktır. Sık kullanılan antiepileptik ilaçlardan valproik asit ve karbamazepinin kan düzeylerinin izlenmesi, etkin nöbet kontrolü için büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmada, valproik asit veya karbamazepin ile tedavi edilen hastaların serum ilaç konsantrasyonları, demografik özellikleri ve eş zamanlı ilaç kullanımları analiz edilmiştir.
Yöntem: Bu retrospektif çalışma, Kırklareli Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi’nde yürütülmüş olup valproik asit veya karbamazepin ile tedavi edilen epilepsi hastalarının tıbbi kayıtları incelenmiştir. Toplam 440 epilepsi hastasına ait veriler retrospektif olarak analiz edilmiştir. Hastaların demografik verileri, eş zamanlı ilaç kullanımları ve kan ilaç düzeyleri kaydedilmiş, terapötik düzeye ulaşma oranları karşılaştırılmıştır.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen 440 hastadan 378’i valproik asit, 62’si karbamazepin ile tedavi edilmekteydi. Valproik asit grubunda hastaların %62,2’si terapötik düzeye ulaşırken, ortalama serum konsantrasyonu 68,15 µg/mL olarak saptandı. Karbamazepin grubunda ise yalnızca %27,4’ü terapötik düzeye ulaşmış olup, ortalama serum düzeyi 10,07 µg/mL idi. İki grup arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu. Karbamazepin grubunda ilaç etkileşimi sayısı ile terapötik düzeye ulaşamama arasında anlamlı bir ilişki saptandı (p<0.05).
Sonuç: Valproik asitin terapötik düzeye ulaşma açısından daha etkili olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Karbamazepin ile tedavi edilen hastalarda terapötik düzeylerin düşük bulunması, bu hastalarda daha dikkatli izlem yapılması, doz ayarlamaları ve potansiyel ilaç etkileşimlerinin göz önünde bulundurulması gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu bulguların doğrulanması ve kişiselleştirilmiş tedavi yaklaşımlarının desteklenmesi için daha geniş örneklemli ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

References

  • Banerjee PN, Filippi D, Allen Hauser W. The descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy-a review. Epilepsy Res. 2009;85(1):31-45. doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres. 2009.03.003
  • Turkish Neurological Society. In: Dervent A, Ayta S, Çokar Ö, Uludüz D. Approach Guide to Neurological Diseases in Children and Adolescents. 2015. https://noroloji.org.tr/TNDData/Uploads/files/%C3%87ED-2015 (1).pdf
  • Hanaya R, Arita K. The new antiepileptic drugs: their neuropharmacology and clinical indications. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2016;56(5):205-20. doi:10.2176/nmc.ra.2015-0344
  • Iorio ML, Moretti U, Colcera S, et al. Use and safety profile of antiepileptic drugs in Italy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2007;63(4):409-415. doi:10.1007/s00228-006-0236-6
  • Elendu C, Jeswani BM, Madekwe CC, et al. Clinical and electroencephalographic correlates of carbamazepine-associated hiccups in epileptic patients. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2024;86(7):4015-4034. doi:10.1097/MS9.0000000000002159
  • Rahman M, Awosika AO, Nguyen H. Valproic Acid. [Updated 2023 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559112/
  • Maan JS, Duong TvH, Saadabadi A. Carbamazepine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK 482455/
  • St Louis EK. Monitoring antiepileptic drugs: a level-headed approach. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2009;7(2):115-119. doi:10.2174/157015909788848938
  • Akdağ G, Algın Dİ, Erdinç OO. Epileps. Osmangazi J Med. 2016; 38(Special Issue 1):35-41. doi:10.20515/otd.88853
  • Giza E, Lefkopoulou M, Dimitrakopoulos D, Karachristianou S, Liasidis C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a Greek cohort of patients with epilepsy. Hippokratia. 2021;25(4):145-150.
  • Shared Health – SBGH Lab Manual. Carbamazepine. Available from: https://apps.sbgh.mb.ca/labmanual/test/view?seedId=1397. Accessed August 2025.
  • Tseng YJ, Huang SY, Kuo CH, Wang CY, Wang KC, Wu CC. Safety range of free valproic acid serum concentration in adult patients. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0238201. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0238201
  • Zeng L, Yi Q, Huang L, et al. The guideline for therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines development. J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):272-283. doi: 10.1111/jebm.12486
  • Liu Y, Li J, Xiao S, et al. Revolutionizing precision medicine: exploring wearable sensors for therapeutic drug monitoring and personalized therapy. Biosensors (Basel). 2023;13(7):726. doi:10.3390/bios13070726
  • Irving PM, Gecse KB. Optimizing therapies using therapeutic drug monitoring: current strategies and future perspectives. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(5):1512-1524. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2022.02.014
  • Sharma S, Joshi S, Mukherji S, Bala K, Tripathi CB. Therapeutic drug monitoring: appropriateness and clinical utility in neuropsychiatry practice. Am J Ther. 2009;16(1):11-16. doi:10.1097/MJT.0b013e31817fd85f
  • French JA, Perucca E. time to start calling things by their own names? The case for antiseizure medicines. Epilepsy Curr. 2020;20(2):69-72. doi: 10.1177/1535759720905516
  • Fratoni AJ, Colmerauer JL, Linder KE, Nicolau DP, Kuti JL. A retrospective case series of concomitant carbapenem and valproic acid use: are best practice advisories working? J Pharm Pract. 2023;36(3):537-541. doi:10.1177/08971900211063301
  • Al-Balawi RS, Alshehri MA, Alatawi AS, Al Shehri AM, Alshehry MA, Al-Gayyar MMH. Measuring the appropriateness of carbamazepine and valproic acid prescribing and utilization using a newly implemented online system in the Tabuk Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J. 2020;28(7):844-849. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2020.06.008
  • Dalaklioglu S. Evaluating appropriateness of digoxin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, and phenytoin usage by therapeutic drug monitoring. Clin Lab. 2013;59(3-4):325-31. doi:10.7754/clin.lab.2012.120425
  • Bowden CL. Valproate. Bipolar Disord. 2003;5(3):189-202. doi:10.1034/j. 1399-5618.2003.00031.x
  • Marvanova M. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Ment Health Clin. 2016;6(1):8-20. doi:10.9740/mhc.2015.01.008
  • https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

Therapeutic drug monitoring of carbamazepine and valproic acid: interindividual variability in epilepsy patients

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 5, 884 - 888, 16.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1751139

Abstract

Aims: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting 1-3% of the global population, characterized by recurrent seizures. Monitoring blood levels of valproic acid and carbamazepine, two commonly used antiepileptic drugs, is essential for effective seizure control. This study aims to analyze the serum concentrations, demographic characteristics and concomitant drug use of patients treated with valproic acid or carbamazepine.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Kırklareli Training and Research Hospital, analyzing the medical records of epilepsy patients treated with valproic acid or carbamazepine. Medical records of 440 epilepsy patients were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, concurrent medication use and blood drug levels were recorded, and rates of achieving therapeutic levels were compared.
Results: Of the 440 patients, 378 were treated with valproic acid, and 62 with carbamazepine. In the valproic acid group, 62.2% reached therapeutic levels, with an average concentration of 68.15 µg/ml. In the carbamazepine group, only 27.4% reached therapeutic levels, with an average of 10.07 µg/ml. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. A significant association was found between drug interaction counts and non-therapeutic levels in the carbamazepine group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Valproic acid was more likely to be within the therapeutic serum range. Lower therapeutic levels in carbamazepine-treated patients, indicate a need for careful monitoring, dose adjustments and consideration of potential drug interactions. Future studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these findings and support personalized treatment approaches.

References

  • Banerjee PN, Filippi D, Allen Hauser W. The descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy-a review. Epilepsy Res. 2009;85(1):31-45. doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres. 2009.03.003
  • Turkish Neurological Society. In: Dervent A, Ayta S, Çokar Ö, Uludüz D. Approach Guide to Neurological Diseases in Children and Adolescents. 2015. https://noroloji.org.tr/TNDData/Uploads/files/%C3%87ED-2015 (1).pdf
  • Hanaya R, Arita K. The new antiepileptic drugs: their neuropharmacology and clinical indications. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2016;56(5):205-20. doi:10.2176/nmc.ra.2015-0344
  • Iorio ML, Moretti U, Colcera S, et al. Use and safety profile of antiepileptic drugs in Italy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2007;63(4):409-415. doi:10.1007/s00228-006-0236-6
  • Elendu C, Jeswani BM, Madekwe CC, et al. Clinical and electroencephalographic correlates of carbamazepine-associated hiccups in epileptic patients. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2024;86(7):4015-4034. doi:10.1097/MS9.0000000000002159
  • Rahman M, Awosika AO, Nguyen H. Valproic Acid. [Updated 2023 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559112/
  • Maan JS, Duong TvH, Saadabadi A. Carbamazepine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK 482455/
  • St Louis EK. Monitoring antiepileptic drugs: a level-headed approach. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2009;7(2):115-119. doi:10.2174/157015909788848938
  • Akdağ G, Algın Dİ, Erdinç OO. Epileps. Osmangazi J Med. 2016; 38(Special Issue 1):35-41. doi:10.20515/otd.88853
  • Giza E, Lefkopoulou M, Dimitrakopoulos D, Karachristianou S, Liasidis C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a Greek cohort of patients with epilepsy. Hippokratia. 2021;25(4):145-150.
  • Shared Health – SBGH Lab Manual. Carbamazepine. Available from: https://apps.sbgh.mb.ca/labmanual/test/view?seedId=1397. Accessed August 2025.
  • Tseng YJ, Huang SY, Kuo CH, Wang CY, Wang KC, Wu CC. Safety range of free valproic acid serum concentration in adult patients. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0238201. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0238201
  • Zeng L, Yi Q, Huang L, et al. The guideline for therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines development. J Evid Based Med. 2022;15(3):272-283. doi: 10.1111/jebm.12486
  • Liu Y, Li J, Xiao S, et al. Revolutionizing precision medicine: exploring wearable sensors for therapeutic drug monitoring and personalized therapy. Biosensors (Basel). 2023;13(7):726. doi:10.3390/bios13070726
  • Irving PM, Gecse KB. Optimizing therapies using therapeutic drug monitoring: current strategies and future perspectives. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(5):1512-1524. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2022.02.014
  • Sharma S, Joshi S, Mukherji S, Bala K, Tripathi CB. Therapeutic drug monitoring: appropriateness and clinical utility in neuropsychiatry practice. Am J Ther. 2009;16(1):11-16. doi:10.1097/MJT.0b013e31817fd85f
  • French JA, Perucca E. time to start calling things by their own names? The case for antiseizure medicines. Epilepsy Curr. 2020;20(2):69-72. doi: 10.1177/1535759720905516
  • Fratoni AJ, Colmerauer JL, Linder KE, Nicolau DP, Kuti JL. A retrospective case series of concomitant carbapenem and valproic acid use: are best practice advisories working? J Pharm Pract. 2023;36(3):537-541. doi:10.1177/08971900211063301
  • Al-Balawi RS, Alshehri MA, Alatawi AS, Al Shehri AM, Alshehry MA, Al-Gayyar MMH. Measuring the appropriateness of carbamazepine and valproic acid prescribing and utilization using a newly implemented online system in the Tabuk Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J. 2020;28(7):844-849. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2020.06.008
  • Dalaklioglu S. Evaluating appropriateness of digoxin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, and phenytoin usage by therapeutic drug monitoring. Clin Lab. 2013;59(3-4):325-31. doi:10.7754/clin.lab.2012.120425
  • Bowden CL. Valproate. Bipolar Disord. 2003;5(3):189-202. doi:10.1034/j. 1399-5618.2003.00031.x
  • Marvanova M. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Ment Health Clin. 2016;6(1):8-20. doi:10.9740/mhc.2015.01.008
  • https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
There are 23 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Medical Pharmacology, Emergency Medicine
Journal Section Original Article
Authors

Tuğçe Uskur 0000-0001-6626-4859

Oya Güven 0000-0002-6389-4561

Publication Date September 16, 2025
Submission Date July 26, 2025
Acceptance Date August 26, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 5

Cite

AMA Uskur T, Güven O. Therapeutic drug monitoring of carbamazepine and valproic acid: interindividual variability in epilepsy patients. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. September 2025;8(5):884-888. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1751139

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