An analysis of side-effect profiles of anti-seizure medications in personswith intellectual disability using the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS)

We investigated the side-effect profiles of anti-seizure medications in per sons diagnosed with a seizure disorder and intellectual disability. The maj ority of the 124 participants receiving anti-epileptic medication were whit e female, and were receiving only one anti-epileptic medication. The side-e ffect profiles of these participants were contrasted with a matched group o f 124 individuals not taking any anti-epileptic or psychotropic medications . Using the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS), significant diff erences were found among the two groups on the central nervous system-gener al and endocrine/genitourinary subscales. Overall, participants taking anti -epileptic medications were experiencing relatively few side-effects as mea sured by the MEDS; between-group differences for side-effects were found on the general central nervous system effects and endocrine/genitourinary sub scales. Implications of the present findings are discussed.