Abstract
with phenobarbital. Carbamazepine was given in 3 or 4 daily doses immediately after meals and blood samples were collected at 2-hour intervals during the day. Carbamazepine was analysed by EMIT® on whole plasma (total concentration) and in plasma ultrafiltrates (free concentration) obtained by using EMIT FreeLevelTM filters as recommended by the manufacturer (Syva Co., Palo Alto). At each time, a brief neurological examination aimed at documenting the presence of adverse effects was performed. Results: In all patients, both total and free carbamazepine concentrations fluctuated considerably (mean ± SD of the fluctuation around the mean of the plasma concentrations, 40 ± 15% for total and 45 ± 16% for free). Side effects (particularly nystagmus and/or diplopia) were observed in 5 patients (intermittent in 4). Side effects were apparent when total carbamazepine concentrations exceeded 9 ~g/ml but were never found at total concentrations under 8 ~g/ml.
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