When and how often should blood levels of Antiepileptics be checked
Antiepileptic drugs (AED) levels in general do not need to be regularly checked.
Monitoring of AED levels can help when the patient is initially loaded with the medication and when the drug reaches a steady-state concentration, usually after approximately five half-lives.
Monitoring of drug levels is most helpful in determining patient compliance, in documenting high levels when the patient has symptoms concerning for possible drug toxicity, and documenting low levels with breakthrough seizure occurrence.
