Role of carbamazepine in reducing polypharmacy in epilepsy.

Carbamazepine was given to 152 patients who were receiving multiple drug therapy for uncontrolled seizures. The age range was 3 to 57 years. The mean average duration of epilepsy and carbamazepine therapy was 7.6 years and 19 months respectively. The conclusions are: (i) Carbamazepine is effective in reducing the multiple drug therapy while still maintaining better control of epilepsy. (ii) Carbamazepine by reducing polypharmacy in epilepsy and probably by the relative lack of sedative action is effective in improving school or work performances. (iii) Carbamazepine is a safe antiepileptic drug.