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Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
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Description
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Oxcarbazepine is structurally a derivative of carbamazepine, adding an extra oxygen atom to the benzylcarboxamide group. This difference helps reduce the impact on the liver of metabolizing the drug, and also prevents the serious forms of anemia occasionally associated with carbamazepine. Aside from this reduction in side effects, it is thought to have the same mechanism as carbamazepine - sodium channel inhibition - and is generally used to treat partial seizures in epileptic children and adults. |
| Indication |
For use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in children ages 4-16 with epilepsy. |
| Pharmacology |
Oxcarbazepine is structurally a derivative of carbamazepine, adding an extra oxygen atom to the benzylcarboxamide group. This difference helps reduce the impact on the liver of metabolizing the drug, and also prevents the serious forms of anemia occasionally associated with carbamazepine. Aside from this reduction in side effects, it is thought to have the same mechanism as carbamazepine - sodium channel inhibition - and is generally used to treat the same conditions. |
| Toxicity |
Isolated cases of overdose with oxcarbazepine have been reported. The maximum dose taken was approximately 24,000 mg. All patients recovered with symptomatic treatment. |
| Affected Organisms |
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Humans and other mammals |
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| Biotransformation |
Oxcarbazepine is completely absorbed and extensively metabolized to its pharmacologically active 10-monohydroxy metabolite (MHD). MHD is metabolized further by conjugation with glucuronic acid. |
| Absorption |
Completely absorbed following oral administration. Food has no effect on the rate and extent of absorption of oxcarbazepine. |
| Half Life |
The half-life of the parent is about 2 hours, while the half-life of MHD is about 9 hours, so that MHD is responsible for most anti-epileptic activity. |
| Protein Binding |
Approximately 40% of the active 10-monohydroxy metabolite (MHD) is bound to serum proteins, predominantly to albumin. Neither oxcarbazepine nor its MHD binds with alpha-1–acid blycoprotein. |
| Elimination |
Oxcarbazepine is cleared from the body mostly in the form of metabolites which are predominantly excreted by the kidneys. Fecal excretion accounts for less than 4% of the administered dose. |
| Distribution |
* 49 L |
| References |
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Mazza M, Della Marca G, Di Nicola M, Martinotti G, Pozzi G, Janiri L, Bria P, Mazza S: Oxcarbazepine improves mood in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2007 May;10(3):397-401. Epub 2007 Feb 14.
[Pubmed]
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