Authors' objectives: Research question: In people with newly diagnosed epilepsy, is pharmacogentic testing effective for detecting and reducing the risk of adverse reactions to anti-epileptic medications?

Authors' results and conclusions: The evidence on the use of pharmacogenetics testing to identify the risk of adverse reactions to anti-epileptic medications is limited. Some evidence was identified on the use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing to determine whether carbamazepine treatment should be prescribed. However, expert opinion suggests that carbamazepine is highly unlikely to be prescribed to people with newly diagnosed epilepsy as they are likely to be offered a drug with a lower rate of adverse drug reactions instead. As such, using the test to decide whether to prescribe carbamazepine may be of limited applicability to current practice.

Authors' methods: The Evidence Appraisal Report is based on a literature search (strategy available on request) for published clinical and economic evidence on the health technology of interest. It is not a full systematic review but aims to identify the best available evidence on the health technology of interest. Researchers critically evaluate and synthesise this evidence. We include the following clinical evidence in order of priority: systematic reviews; randomised trials; non-randomised trials. We only include evidence for “lower priority” evidence where outcomes are not reported by a “higher priority” source. We also search for economic evaluations or original research that can form the basis of an assessment of costs/cost comparison. We carry out various levels of economic evaluation, according to the evidence that is available to inform this.

Authors' identified further research: Large studies investigating the use of pharmacogenetic screening to guide treatment for newly diagnoses epilepsy are recommended. This includes tests for HLA alleles, as well as other potential candidates that have been identified as having an association with drug-induced adverse reactions

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2019

URL for published report: https://www.healthtechnology.wales/reports-guidance/pharmacogenetic-testing/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Rapid Review

Country: Wales, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: Health Technology Wales

Contact Address: c/o Digital Health Care Wales, 21 Cowbridge Road East Cardiff CF11 9AD

Contact Name: Susan Myles, PhD

Contact Email: healthtechnology@wales.nhs.uk

Copyright: Health Technology Wales