Pattern of Anti-Epileptic Drug use in Libyan Children and Their Effects on Liver Enzyme Activities

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disease that characterized by recurrent, spontaneous brain seizures. Anti-epileptic drug is used clinically to control the epilepsy or reduce the frequency of the attacks. Liver is the primary and main organ for drug metabolism and elimination of several drugs such as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Thus, drug-induced toxicity may occur. Since liver enzymes can serve as biological markers of hepatocellular injury, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-epileptic drugs used in patients treated at the Department of Neurology in Benghazi Children Hospital, on activities of liver enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Out of 58 patients selected randomly in this study 38% of them were female with age ranged from four months to five years old. Male patients were more susceptible to the adverse effects than the female patients. Mode of therapy and age of the patient did not show any effect on the levels of enzyme changes. Sodium valproate was the frequent drug used and level of ALP of the majority of patient was elevated above the normal level. Routine screening of hepatic enzymes level during the chronic use of anti-epileptic drugs is recommended and the need for obtaining baseline liver function tests is also essential before starting anti-epileptic therapy in Libyan children.