Analysis of antiepileptic drugs use at a university hospital in Croatia.

To analyse the consumption rate of new generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) compared with traditional AEDs at a university hospital in Croatia. Antiepileptic drugs use was analysed retrospectively for two consecutive years, 2001 and 2002 at Departments of Neurology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Centre (UHC) Rijeka. The results obtained are expressed as number of defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 bed days, as proposed by the WHO. The use of new generation AEDs was represented by 2% in 2001 and 5% in 2002. Majority of AEDs administered was taken by the barbiturates in both years. A wide spectrum of AEDs has been used at the Department of Paediatrics. At the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry use of barbiturates and carbamazepine predominated. The use of new AEDs at UHC has increased during the investigation period but it is still rather low compared with traditional AEDs. The similarity of our results with the result of the leading Croatian university hospitals might represent general routine AED prescription in country. Nationally based guidelines may bring more appropriate and rational approach for usage of modern AED. This task should be supported and promoted by international and national neurology associations.