EFFECT OF CHRONIC ANTIEPILEPTIC TREATMENT ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

The influence of chronic antiepileptic treatment on total and conjugat ed bilirubin, lipid profile, and calcium and magnesium plasma levels w as investigated in 294 adult epileptic outpatients undergoing differen t antiepileptic therapies. A comparison was made with an age- and sex- matched control group. All the antiepileptic groups, excluding the sod ium valproate group, showed a significant reduction in total and conju gated bilirubin and a significant increase in total cholesterol and lo w-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in comparison to the co ntrols. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the valproic acid group was significantly lower than that in the controls, although no d ifference was found between the therapeutic groups and the controls fo r triglycerides, calcium, and magnesium. Our findings indicate that be fore beginning any antiepileptic treatment, the lipid profile should a lways be taken into consideration and should be regularly checked thro ughout the treatment.