Abstracts

Rationale: Many patients who take prescription medications also take supplements or "natural" medications. Few studies have investigated the use of supplements and complementary medicine in patients with epilepsy. This is an important topic given the potential interaction between AEDs and supplements, and patient perception of safety and use of prescription and non-prescription treatments for epilepsy. Methods: From February 2012 to June 2012, consecutive patients seen at the Barrow Neurological Institute Epilepsy clinic were given multiple choice and fill in questionnaires regarding details of their epilepsy and supplement use. 436 surveys were completed. Statistical analysis with the graphPad Instat program was used, with ANOVA to compare groups. Results: 5.3% of patients had epilepsy for less than one year, 14.5% for 1-5 years, 14.5% for 5 to 10 years, and 65.7% for more than 10 years. The percentage of patients taking at least one supplement was 45%, 40%, 45%, and 47% for the groups of epilepsy less than one year, 1-5 years, 5-10 years, and over 10 years, respectively. 52% of the patients surveyed took at least one alternative supplement. Of the 202 patients who listed their supplements, the average number of alternative treatments was 2.7 (range 1-9, SD 1.95). Multivitamins were the most common supplement. The second most used supplement was fish oil/Omega-3 supplements. Marijuana was used by three patients. Two patients took Huperzine A. 22.4% of responders take supplements "because it helps my seizures." 6.9% of responders take supplements to counteract AED side effects or toxicities; 64.9% for other medical reasons; 5.7% do not know why they take them. 66% of all patients surveyed would use a "natural" supplement for seizure control if it were available. Conclusions: The use of supplement and complementary medicine is common in patients with epilepsy (52%). The percentage of patients using these treatments did not vary significantly based on the length of time they have had epilepsy. Most patients take these treatments for other medical problems, but a significant minority (22%) takes them as a treatment of epilepsy or because of perceived side effects of the medications (6.9%). Many patients would like to use a "natural" supplement to treat epilepsy if it were available. This study shows that supplements and alternative medicine use are very common in patients with epilepsy. Based on previous studies, patients may not mention these treatments to their neurologist because, very frequently, the treatments are not related to their epilepsy. About 1 out of 5 patients took alternative treatments to treat their epilepsy, such as Husperzine A and marijuana. As these supplements become more available, neurologists will be faced with patients questioning, and sometimes requesting, alternative treatments for their epilepsy. It is important for neurologists to be aware of the common use of supplements and alternative medicine in patients with epilepsy so that neurologist can better counsel and treat their patients.