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A comparison of carbamazepine divitabs with carbamazepine normal formulation in psychiatric and oligophrenic patients

Preliminary pharmacokinetic results

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Abstract

In an open, randomized, two-centre, cross-over study 20 patients formerly adjusted to a stable oral twice daily 200–600 mg carbamazepine dose, used ordinary tablets and divitabs (a new sustained-release formulation) for periods of three weeks, whereafter the serum level courses of carbamazepine and its metabolite carbamazepine-10,ll-epoxide were measured. The mean peak/mean trough carbamazepine-serum concentration ratio was slightly lower after the intake of divitabs in comparison to normal formulation: 1.14±0.447 versus 1.23±0.545 (mean ±SD). The mean trough levels of carbamazepine and its metabolite were 9% and 16% lower in the case of divitabs. In patients with peak/trough carbamazepine-serum level ratios of at least 1.30 after the intake of normal formulation, divitabs had a significant advantage.

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Author notes

  1. Jan R. Nijdam

    Present address: Psychiatrisch Ziekenhuis St. Franciscushof, Postbus 5000, 8100, GA Raalte

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatrische Instituten van de Godshuizen, P.O. Box 10.150, 5260, GB Vught, The Netherlands

    Anton J. M. Loonen

  2. Centrale Apotheek Godshuizen, Nieuwstraat 34, 5211, NL 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands

    Peter J. M. M. Toll

  3. Psychiatrische Instituten van de Godshuizen, Vught

    Jan R. Nijdam

Authors
  1. Anton J. M. Loonen
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  2. Peter J. M. M. Toll
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  3. Jan R. Nijdam
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Loonen, A.J.M., Toll, P.J.M.M. & Nijdam, J.R. A comparison of carbamazepine divitabs with carbamazepine normal formulation in psychiatric and oligophrenic patients. Pharmaceutisch Weekblad Scientific Edition 11, 23–26 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972911

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972911

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