Phenylthiocarbamide perception in epileptic patients on carbamazepine therapy

The present study was designed to study the taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamideamong epileptic patients. A total of epileptic patients participated in the study. Theepileptic state of the patients was well controlled by carbamazepine therapy, withtheir serum level of carbamazepine within therapeutic range. The other groupconsists of healthy volunteers, serving as a control. Test strips impregnated withphenylthiocarbamide have been used to identify tasters from non tasters of bothpatients and control groups. The individuals who perceive phenylthiocarbamide asbitter tasting was regarded as tasters while those describe it as tasteless were regardedas non-tasters. The results showed no significant difference with regard perception ofphenylthiocarbamide between epileptic patients on carbamazepine therapy andcontrols.