Shortcomings in treatment of epilepsy

In onler to enhance the fficacy rf treatnent of epilepsl', we take into cottsideraliotr the eiects of ue non-ntetlical e.rtrinsicfactors, .fron the outpatient deparrnenr of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusunto Hospital, corn'nring of 46 tnales atul 5Tfetnales, ages I l-71 years v,ith a ircaIt,rent Period qf zero ntorttlts to t,rore than 2O years are selectetl. The nost connonll' used drug is plrnobarbitrtl (76,6%), fllou,etl by diphanroin (35%) and carbanazepine (t8,3%), u,hile rhe B-conple.r vitanins (10%) or isolated folic acid (20%) suppletncnration are only rarely given. The general educaliott level of the patien1s varies from elenentary school to senior high-school, with a ktw to noderale socio-econrtnical backgrountl antl a low slatus of vit. Bl, 86, Folic acid and Ca ion. For the norttnl vit. BI2 status of rhe polienls v'e have no e.rplanutiott. The e.tislence of ph1'sical and nental stress is e.trrenell, high, with a general record of tnore tlwniO%. Tlrc need of vit- 86 tLs co-factor in the syuhesis of ganua aninobutt'ric acid (GABA), an i,,tportant inhibiting neurotransnuuer in include an apltropriate drug s,rareg)'and its conpliances bul also an overall dynatnic, w,ell balanced cptrsideraliott of the whole patient's lifestyle includittg dietury requirenents, especially in refractorl'epileptic cases.