Liver function tests in persons receiving anticonvulsant medications.

Liver function tests were carried out in 206 adults and children taking anticonvulsants to ascertain the prevalence of biochemical abnormalities in asymptomatic patients. It was observed that serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was elevated in 74.6% of patients, alkaline phosphatase in 29.

Inhibition of theophylline metabolism by interferon.

1 day after a single intramuscular injection of recombinant human interferon alpha A in 5 patients with stable chronic active hepatitis B and 4 healthy controls theophylline clearance was significantly reduced and theophylline elimination half-life was significantly increased. There was a clear relation between pre-treatment and post-treatment theophylline clearance rates, indicating that the greatest effect of interferon was in subjects who were fast metabolisers of theophylline. These observations support the contention that the actions of endogenous interferon may account for the effects of immunisations and viral infections on hepatic drug metabolism.

Identifying patients who might benefit from free phenytoin monitoring.

Guidelines for measuring free drug concentrations in serum have become necessary due to the easy availability of these assays as a result of the introduction of commercial kits. The present study was performed to identify patients or groups of patients in whom the serum free phenytoin fraction varied from normal, such that they might benefit from measurement of serum free phenytoin. Three hundred fourteen samples submitted for routine phenytoin analysis were studied by enzyme-modified immunoassay technique (EMIT).

The management of epilepsy: patients' perceptions and expectations.

An anonymous questionnaire, which was designed to obtain information on satisfaction with medical management, personal attitudes and experiences, and patients' knowledge about epilepsy, was sent to a systematic sample of persons on the membership lists of various Epilepsy Associations across Australia. Comments regarding doctors' attitudes towards persons with epilepsy and the inadequacy of informational exchanges between doctors and patients reflected many respondents' dissatisfaction with their medical management. The problems that are perceived by patients in regard to the management of their epilepsy may be addressed through improved education of these patients and of the community in general.