title: Influence of age and co-medication on steady-state phenobarbital serum level-dose ratios in Japanese paediatric patients.
abstract: The effects of age and co-medication on steady-state phenobarbital (PB) level-dose (L/D) ratios were evaluated retrospectively in 539 paediatric patients. The PB L/D ratio increased significantly with age up to 15 years. Associated anti-epileptic therapy affected the PB L/D ratio, which was significantly increased in patients on polypharmacy as compared to patients on monopharmacy. Therefore, routine monitoring of PB serum levels is extremely useful, particularly in the paediatric age group, and in patients who require associated anti-epileptic medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Kyushu University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yukawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoyama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010634:Phenobarbital