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Effect of vigabatrin on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine
Author(s) -
SánchezAlcaraz A.,
Quintana Mª. B.,
López E.,
Rodríguez I.,
Llopis P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2002.00441.x
Subject(s) - vigabatrin , carbamazepine , pharmacokinetics , anticonvulsant , fluorescence polarization immunoassay , morning , medicine , epilepsy , pharmacology , anesthesia , psychiatry
Summary Objective: To evaluate a possible interaction between vigabatrin and carbamazepine in epileptic patients. Methods: Steady‐state serum concentrations of carbamazepine with and without vigabatrin were compared. The study group consisted of 15 patients (eight females, seven males, and mean age 31 ± 12 years), with refractory partial epilepsy. They received vigabatrin as add‐on therapy. Patients received carbamazepine monotherapy for at least 6 months and the carbamazepine–vigabatrin combination for at least 3 months. Blood samples were obtained in the morning, before the first daily dose and the carbamazepine plasma concentrations were analysed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDx System). Results: No statistically significant differences were found in mean carbamazepine daily dose. Mean trough concentrations were 7·9 ± 1·4 μg/mL with carbamazepine alone, and 6·5 ± 2·0 μg/mL with carbamazepine–vigabatrin association ( P < 0·03). The mean values of pharmacokinetic parameters were: level/dose ratio (L/D)=0·59 ± 0·20 vs. 0·45 ± 0·15 ( P < 0·05) and plasma clearance (Cl)=78·5 ± 25·8 vs. 105·8 ± 38·9 mL/h/kg ( P < 0·05), with carbamazepine alone and carbamazepine–vigabatrin combination, respectively. Conclusion: Vigabatrin produced a statistically significant increase in the plasma clearance of carbamazepine when the two drugs were given simultaneously.