Abstract
Red cell folate concentrations were determined in 74 epileptic women in early pregnancy in a prospective study. All patients were treated continuously with antiepileptic drugs since before conception. The most frequently used drugs were carbamazepine (n−39) and phenytoin (n−26). Sixty-four patients (86%) were on monotherapy. Blood samples for red cell folate and antiepileptic drug concentrations were drawn before folate supplementation. Red cell folate levels in patients, 468 nmol·l−1, did not differ from those in non-epileptic, drug-free, pregnant women, 416 nmol·l−1 or from those in non-pregnant age-matched healthy controls, 412 nmol·l−1. No correlation was found between red cell folate concentrations and doses or plasma levels of phenytoin or carbamazepine.
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Tomson, T., Lindbom, U., Sundqvist, A. et al. Red cell folate levels in pregnant epileptic women. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 48, 305–308 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00198317
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00198317