Comparison of the Consumption of Antiepileptic Drugs in the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, and Australia

Overview

Long-term trends in utilization of antiepileptic drugs expressed in DDD/TID according to the 4th ATC level were studied. Wholesale data recorded from statistical yearbooks and the database of the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL) were the source of data. The correlation between trends in the Czech Republic (CR) and the other countries was studied. The utilization was expressed in DDD/1000 inhabitants and day (DDD/TID). The lowest utilization of antiepileptics was in the Czech Republic, while highest in Norway (until 1994) and Finland (from 1995). The utilization of barbiturates is decreasing. The highest one was in Norway and CR. Hydantoins were the most widely utilized group in Australia, Sweden, and CR. Even though their utilization was lower in Finland and Norway, they were one of the most widely utilized groups there. The utilization of succnimide derivatives was very low and still decreases. Benzodiazepins were the most widely utilized group in Finland, until 1995 also in Australia, from 1996 in Norway. Their utilization increases. Even though the utilization of carboxamide derivatives was lower in CR and Australia, they belong to the second most widely utilized group there. Fatty acid derivatives were most widely utilized in Australia and Finland. Their utilization is lower, but increasing in CR. The utilization of N03AX has been increasing in the recent period in all countries. The utilization of antiepileptics in CR follows the trends in other countries, but on a lower level of DDD/TID.

Key words:
antiepileptics – DDD/TID – utilization – trends – comparison