OBJECTIVES: Our recent study has found that pharmacological management of epilepsy within outpatient setting of Montenegro has been slightly different in comparison to developed countries. This was probably the consequence of many medical and non-medical influences, whose separate contribution to prescribing cannot be fully explained. In this study we investigated the one-year expenses for the outpatient pharmacological management of epilepsy in our country, with particular highlight on potential cost-saving. METHODS: Data about antiepileptics (ATC code N03) which were prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy (G40 code according to ICD-X revision) during 2005 were extracted from the National database which was set up within Republic Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro since 2003. Standard DDD/ATC (defined daily dose/anatomic-therapeutic-chemical) methodology for the outpatient drug utilization was used. Than we multiplied the number of prescribed DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DTIDs) with the average price of one DDD for each drug. Our country has a population of approximately 660,000 people and currency is EUR. RESULTS: The overall prescribing of antiepileptics (N03) within outpatient setting of Montenegro during investigated period was 2.85 DTIDs, that was 232516.68 EUR. Although combination of sodium-valproate and valproic acid was prescribed approximately 13% (0.36 DTIDs), it participated in total expenses extensively more (40.28%, 93661.92 EUR). Newer antiepileptic agent, lamotrigin, was prescribed less than 4% (0.11 DTIDs), but It formed a one third of total costs (€33.28%, €77,377.08). The expenses for the two most frequently prescribed drugs phenobarbital and carbamazepine were almost equal (€25,439.04 and €21,199.20, 20.06%), although those drugs formed more than 80% of total prescribing. The participation of other drugs (sodium-valproate, clonazepam, gabapentin) in total expenses was about €14,839.44(6.38%). CONCLUSIONS: Our doctors mostly prescribed older, accessible, long-term experienced and lower priced antiepileptics. In order to fully estimate the expenses for the pharmacological management of epilepsy is rational or not, we have to explore this problem with more detail.