RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Routine screening of blood and urine for severe reactions to anticonvulsant drugs in asymptomatic patients is of doubtful value
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 1303
OP 1305
VO 140
IS 11
A1 P. Camfield
A1 C. Camfield
A1 J. Dooley
A1 K. Farrell
A1 P. Humphreys
A1 P. Langevin
YR 1989
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/140/11/1303.abstract
AB Severe or fatal reactions to anticonvulsant agents are fortunately rare. We examined the value of routine screening of blood and urine to detect early signs of such reactions in asymptomatic patients. The basic assumptions of this type of screening program have been faulty or unproven, and the results of studies, although not definitive, have not supported the value of such programs. Our recommendations, approved by the Canadian Association for Child Neurology, suggest that asymptomatic patients not undergo routine screening of blood and urine but, rather, be informed of the early symptoms of severe toxic reactions and be asked to report them immediately to a physician.