Health Behaviors Related to the Use of Drugs among Patients with Epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed self-medication behaviors and identified factors associated with self-treatment among adults with epilepsy.

METHODS: We carried out this study on 380 patients with epilepsy using an author-designed questionnaire.

RESULTS: Patients who took medication more than once a day were more likely to comply with times of taking medication (p = .009); people using polytherapy were more likely to forget to take their medication (p < .001). Married persons missed a dose of a drug considerably less often than other patients (p = .001). The youngest patients were the least likely to miss drug doses (p = .026). The oldest patients (p = .003) and divorced patients also were more likely to miss doses (p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS: Persons experiencing epilepsy should be educated on the proper use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); moreover, their preferences should be considered when types of therapy are prescribed. Patients who deviate from recommended use of medication should report these practices to medical personnel so that potential changes in health status can be addressed properly.