title: Pharmacokinetics of di-n-propylacetate in epileptic patients.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of the anti-epileptic drug di-n-propylacetate (DepakineR) have been studied in 7 patients, in whom plasma concentrations were determined during and following subchronic treatment. Elimination of the drug appeared to follow a monophasic exponential course; biological half lives were 8 to 15 hours. The data supported the assumption that an open one-compartment model can be used to describe the kinetics of dipropylacetate in man. The drug appeared to have a relatively restricted distribution: calculated relative distribution volumes ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 1/kg. There were large interindividual differences in clearance rate. The therapeutic range was considered to be between 50 and 100 mg/1 plasma. Plasma levels of phenobarbital were markedly raised during treatment with dipropylacetate for an unknown reason. Determination of the plasma concentrations of drugs at accurately fixed times appears to be a reliable method for pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of epileptic patients.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008954:Models, Biological; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood; D014631:Valerates / Q000097:blood*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014631:Valerates; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010634:Phenobarbital