Compliance and satisfaction with switching from an immediate-release to sustained-release formulation of valproate in people with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: The goal of our work was to assess compliance and patient satisfaction with switching from sodium valproate to Depakine Chrono in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Clinical, demographic, and behavioral details assessing compliance and satisfaction were collected using self-completion questionnaires at the time of inclusion in the study and 3 months after the inclusion day.

Results: Data were collected from 2031 respondents from eight European countries. There were significant differences between time 1 and time 2 of the study in seizure frequency, reported side effects, compliance, and patient satisfaction.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that switching from sodium valproate to Depakine Chrono results in an increase in seizure-free rates, a reduction in reported side effects, an improvement in the level of compliance, and a modest improvement in patient satisfaction.