Pharmacists Demonstrate Knowledge of Epilepsy, ASM Treatment
Researchers investigated Norwegian pharmacists to understand their expertise, and potential knowledge gaps, regarding issues of epilepsy and treatment using antiseizure medication.
Pharmacists in Norway demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge and confidence regarding issues surrounding epilepsy and patients’ use of antiseizure medications (ASMs), according to data published in Epilepsy & Behavior.1 With some knowledge gaps identified, however, researchers believe more can be done to bolster pharmacists’ health literacy for epilepsy and ASM treatment.
“Global initiatives aim at increasing awareness and knowledge about epilepsy among the general population as well as health care professionals,” wrote authors of the study. “A recent initiative by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) focuses on the active role of pharmacists in epilepsy care.”
Purple bow representing epilepsy awareness | image credit: Jo Panuwat D / stock.adobe.com
Indeed, increases in epilepsy awareness may be warranted as World Health Organization data has global prevalence of the disease at close to 50 million patients.2 With recurrent seizures being the main side effect, up to 90% of adults with epilepsy take ASMs to quell their symptoms.3 Further highlighting the diseases’ global prominence, the Epilepsy Foundation lists 38 different ASMs used in epilepsy management, ranging from nasal sprays and oral medications to a cannabidiol oral solution.4
READ MORE: FDA Approves Diazepam Nasal Spray for Treatment of Seizure Clusters in Pediatric Patients
ASM use is significantly prominent across many countries including the US, Canada, Germany, and Norway, where the present study was conducted. In these same countries, however, previous studies have shown that pharmacists demonstrated minimal confidence in counseling patients on ASM use. With little evidence of pharmacists’ knowledge and confidence on epilepsy and ASMs in Norway, researchers wanted to focus on what pharmacists in the country knew about epilepsy and the key medications used to treat it.
“What do Norwegian pharmacists know about treatment and follow-up of ASMs in patients with epilepsy? Is this in line with recent similar studies from Germany, Canada, and the US? Can we identify specific knowledge gaps?” continued authors of the study.1 “The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the knowledge of Norwegian pharmacists about epilepsy, ASMs, and how they handle counseling of this patient group, and to identify possible knowledge gaps and thus the need for further initiatives, education, and training.”
Using a survey adapted to Norwegian pharmacists and developed using previous studies, researchers asked study participants about their demographics, encounters with patients with epilepsy, confidence regarding ASM counseling, and overall knowledge of epilepsy, seizure types, handling of ASMs, adverse effects, interactions, use in special patient groups, and follow-up of treatment.
They included a total of 113 unique responses (median age, 34 years; 80% women; 78% worked in community pharmacies). A total of 62% of the study population reported that they met patients with epilepsy at least once a week. However, few of the survey respondents said that they’d seen a seizure.
Participants also answered questions about epilepsy and ASMs correctly in a majority of responses. These responses, regarding multiple questions on epilepsy and ASMs, were answered correctly by at least 71% of participants. For ASM counseling specifically, pharmacists often (over 50% of the time) gave correct advice on dosing, interactions, adverse effects, and adherence.
There were, however, some gaps in knowledge identified.
“This study shows that Norwegian pharmacists generally have a satisfactory level of knowledge and experience regarding epilepsy and ASMs, and variable confidence in counseling this patient group,” they wrote.1 “Knowledge gaps regarding specific areas such as pharmacokinetic interactions, adverse effects, and use in other indications were uncovered.”
While pharmacists participating in the study demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of epilepsy, there were notable gaps identified that informed the authors’ decision to suggest further research on the topic. As ASMs have been previously identified as possessing many pharmacological challenges, researchers believe interprofessional collaboration and increased education on epilepsy can further the collective understanding of this disease.
As pharmacists continue to aim at setting themselves apart from other health care providers, they too can be key players in epilepsy management and counseling of ASM use as more evidence of their increased understanding and medication expertise is reported.
“In conclusion, our study demonstrates that pharmacists in general have a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding main issues of epilepsy and treatment with ASMs, but some knowledge gaps were identified,” they concluded.1 “This calls for more awareness on knowledge and counseling of patients with epilepsy and use of ASMs.”
READ MORE: Neurology Resource Center
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