ATHEROSCLEROTIC RISK AMONG EPILEPTIC PATIENTS TAKING CARBAMAZEPINE, PHENYTOIN TREATMENT: BRIEF REVIEW

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that requires long-term or sometimes lifetime therapy. Anticonvulsant drugs are used in large quantities during long-term antiepileptic therapy and the treatment may be associated with various metabolic abnormalities in connective tissues, endocrine system and the liver. Recent evidence indicates that prolonged use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) particularly carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT) might modify some vascular risk factors; however, the influence of AED therapy on the development of atherosclerosis has been the subject of controversy and pretty unclear. Some epidemiological studies have reported a higher prevalence of ischemic vascular disease among epileptic patients on AEDs, while in other studies the mortality due to atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease in treated epileptics has been observed to be lower than in the general population. The etiology of atherosclerosis-related vascular diseases in epileptic patients has not been fully clarified. Atherosclerotic vascular alterations may start early in life, this review focuses on major atherogenic risk, including disordered lipid profiles, and increased lipoprotein (a) serum levels among epileptic patients.