An analysis of side-effect profiles of anti-seizure medications in persons with intellectual disability using the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS)

We investigated the side-effect profiles of anti-seizure medications in persons diagnosed with a seizure disorder and intellectual disability. The majority of the 124 participants receiving anti-epileptic medication were white female, and were receiving only one anti-epileptic medication. The side-effect profiles of these participants were contrasted with a matched group of 124 individuals not taking any anti-epileptic or psychotropic medications. Using the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS), significant differences were found among the two groups on the central nervous system-general and endocrine/genitourinary subscales. Overall, participants taking anti-epileptic medications were experiencing relatively few side-effects as measured by the MEDS; between-group differences for side-effects were found on the general central nervous system effects and endocrine/genitourinary subscales. Implications of the present findings are discussed.