title: Pharmacists' knowledge of issues in pharmacotherapy of epilepsy using antiepileptic drugs: A cross-sectional study in Palestinian pharmacy practice.
abstract: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are mainstay in controlling epileptic seizures. As experts in medications, pharmacists should be able to ensure accuracy of dosing regimens, explain adverse effects, and screen for and alert people with epilepsy (PWE) and their physicians to possible drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge of issues in pharmacotherapy of epilepsy using AEDs.
  
  
  
  This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Palestinian pharmacy practice. A 10-item case-based questionnaire was used to determine actions taken by pharmacists in theoretical situations in pharmacotherapy of epilepsy. Demographic and practice details of the study participants were also collected. Scores were calculated as percentage of correct answers for each participant.
  
  
  
  The number of participants was 394. The majority (approximately 75%) identified themselves as community pharmacists. The median score was 33.4% with an IQR of 33.3. Pharmacists who received training on epilepsy and AEDs during their pharmacy degree program were 4.78-fold (95% C.I. of 1.82-12.60) more likely to score ≥50% in the test than those who did not receive training on epilepsy and AEDs. Despite gaps in knowledge, pharmacists tended to perform the necessary action in cases of adverse effects and aggravated seizures associated with AEDs.
  
  
  
  Pharmacists can play a crucial role in providing essential information on AEDs to patients and prescribers. There are many knowledge gaps that need to be filled. Specifically designed pedagogic and/or training interventions might be helpful in filling these gaps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. Electronic address: ramzi_shawahna@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ramzi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shawahna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Ahlam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atrash
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jebril
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Areen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalaf
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tahboosh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018912:Arabs; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000592:standards*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards*; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Antiepileptic drugs; Epilepsy; Knowledge; Palestine; People with epilepsy; Pharmacists