抄録
We analyzed the method for oral administration of antiepileptic drugs in 50 child epileptic patients, who were given medication instruction during hospitalization at the Department of Child Neurology for 10 months from October 1, 1993 to the end of July 1994. The average age of patients was 6.2 (0-17) years old. Sodium valproate (VPA) was the highest rate (70%) in the antiepileptic drugs prescribed. A total of 154 different dosage forms were used in 50 patients, and the average use was 3.1. The ratio of powders, tablets, solutions and suppositories in prescribed dosage form were 70, 14, 12 and 4%, respectively. Analysis of the method by which the powdered drugs were administered with “water or Japanese tea”, “dissolved powdered milk or fresh cows milk”, “juices” and “any other means” revealed a ratio of 58, 17, 17 and 8%, respectively. In the medication instruction, the familyies of the younger-aged patients were queried as to the taste of drugs, method for taking medicine, and interactions with the drink. The results derived suggest the possibility that the analysis of problems concerning the dosage form and taste of antiepileptic drugs contribute to improving the patients' quality of life when their epilepsy is treated. Thus, the research and development of a new antiepileptic dosage form are necessary to solve these problems.
