AIIMS Launches Low-Cost Advanced Test for Safer Epilepsy Care

Specifically, AIIMS New Delhi recently launched a groundbreaking facility for therapeutic drug monitoring epilepsy. Moreover, this advanced blood testing service aims to make treatment significantly safer for patients by monitoring drug levels. Consequently, doctors can now adjust doses more accurately to prevent side effects or treatment failure. However, the same medicine dose often affects different patients in diverse ways. Therefore, checking blood concentrations remains vital for achieving optimal seizure control. Currently, the institute provides these advanced neurodiagnostic tests free of charge to all patients.

Benefits of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Epilepsy

Furthermore, the new facility monitors levetiracetam and lamotrigine levels in the blood. Because these drugs require precise management, incorrect levels can cause toxicity or uncontrolled seizures. In addition, the test helps clinicians personalize treatment based on a patient’s unique body chemistry. For this reason, AIIMS officials expect the facility to improve access to precision-based care. Additionally, the test identifies if medicines reach effective levels despite regular intake.

Expanding Precision-Based Epilepsy Care

Previously, only private laboratories in India offered these specific, expensive tests. Typically, the cost at private labs ranges between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000 per drug. Fortunately, AIIMS may offer the tests at highly subsidized rates in the future. According to Prof Ashok Sharma, the procedure requires only a small blood sample. Moreover, patients can conveniently access reports online through the e-Hospital and ORS portals. Presently, this service supports both the New Delhi and Jhajjar campuses. Finally, this initiative represents a major step toward making long-term epilepsy management more affordable for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which medicines are currently covered by the new TDM facility at AIIMS?

The new facility specifically monitors the levels of levetiracetam and lamotrigine. These are commonly used medications that often require years of monitoring for effective treatment.

Q2: How can patients access their TDM test reports?

Patients can access their reports online through the e-Hospital and ORS portals. This system is available for both OPD and admitted patients at AIIMS New Delhi and the Jhajjar campus.

Q3: Why is therapeutic drug monitoring important for epilepsy?

TDM is vital because different patients process the same dose of medication differently. Monitoring ensures that drug levels are neither too low to control seizures nor too high to cause toxicity.

References

1. AIIMS Launches Low-Cost Advanced Test to Make Epilepsy Treatment Safer – ETHealthworld
2. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Levetiracetam and Lamotrigine: Is There a Need? – PubMed
3. Antiepileptic Drug Monitoring – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

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