IMPACTO DA ORIENTAÇÃO FARMACÊUTICA NO PROCESSO DE USO DE ANTICONVULSIVANTES POR CUIDADORES DE PACIENTES PEDIÁTRICOS COM EPILEPSIA REFRATÁRIA: ESTUDO DE VIABILIDADE.

Introduction: The study aims to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led counseling on the correct use of anticonvulsants given by caregivers to pediatric patients with epilepsy refractory to first-line treatment. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in a hospital in southern Brazil for 10 months with all the main caregivers of patients = 18 years hospitalized in the pediatric hospitalization unit, using 2 or more oral anticonvulsants at home and at least one of them needed pharmaceutical adjustment. The process of using anticonvulsants was evaluated through the Medtake test (which scores knowledge and ability of the caregiver in medication use process from 0 to 100%) at the time of hospitalization, after pharmacist-led counseling, and 1 week after discharge by telephone contact. Results: Twenty-five caregivers of pediatric patients were included and 22 completed the study because of loss to followup in the post-discharge period. The mean Medtake score was 77.5% (± 21.3%). After pharmacist-led counseling, the mean score increased by approximately 15% (p = 0.02). The main types of errors identified in the study were related to drug administration by enteral tube, use of split scored tablets, and drug administration at inappropriate times. Conclusion: The magnitude of the positive effect attributable to pharmacist-led counseling was 15% over the drug use process. This result is relevant for validation of the Medtake test in Brazil, as well as for sample calculation for intervention studies on pharmaceutical services conducted in the country for the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]