title: Complications of combined antiepileptic therapy.
abstract: Five hundred and fifty one epileptic cases in Taif Mental Health Hospital in Saudi Arabia were studied. Drug serum levels were determined by Enzyme Immunoassay. A combined anticonvulsant drug therapy was used frequently more than single drugs in the treatment of epilepsy. Percentage of combined therapy serum level was found higher than the therapeutic normal range of anticonvulsant drugs. Advantages and disadvantages of combined therapy as well as the importance of drug monitoring are presented.
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences Department, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sawas
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sultan
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Amasha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants