Phenytoin and carbamazepine decreased oral bioavailability of praziquantel.
Antiepileptic drugs, especially carbamazepine and phenytoin, are potent liver enzyme inducers. Since praziquantel, the drug used to treat neurocysticercosis, undergoes extensive liver first-pass metabolism, we carried out a prospective study to verify whether there was a decrease in oral bioavailability induced by carbamazepine and phenytoin. Carbamazepine and phenytoin significantly decreased concentrations of praziquantel, due to increased clearance secondary to induction of first pass-liver metabolism. The magnitude of the decrease is surprisingly high and may be responsible for failures of treatment.
Bittencourt
P R
PR
Clinical Neurology Unit, Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças, Curitiba, Brazil.
Gracia
C M
CM
Martins
R
R
Fernandes
A G
AG
Diekmann
H W
HW
Jung
W
W
D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D011223:Praziquantel