Neuroocular side effects of carbamazepine and phenobarbital in epileptic patients as measured by saccadic eye movements analysis.
The effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenobarbital (PB), alone and in association, on the function of specific brain structures was studied in chronically treated epileptic patients by means of saccadic eye movements (SEMs) analysis. The relationship between daily fluctuations of CBZ plasma levels and the occurrence of intermittent side effects was also evaluated. All treatments produced a significant impairment (p less than 0.001) of SEM function as compared with a group of controls. SEM abnormalities appeared to change in relation to daily fluctuation of CBZ plasma levels. When the SEM parameters were considered separately, PB showed a significantly (p less than 0.001) more relevant sedative effect, whereas both drugs appear to produce the same effect on cerebellar and pontine functions. Although impairment of SEM function was most likely far from reaching clinical significance, it represents important information for the clinician.
Tedeschi
G
G
Institute of Neurological Sciences, First Faculty of Medicine, University of Naples, Italy.
Casucci
G
G
Allocca
S
S
Riva
R
R
Di Costanzo
A
A
Tata
M R
MR
Quattrone
A
A
Baruzzi
A
A
Bonavita
V
V
D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011930:Reaction Time; D012438:Saccades / Q000187:drug effects*
D002220:Carbamazepine; D010634:Phenobarbital