title: Increased valproate serum concentrations upon carbamazepine cessation.
abstract: Valproate (VPA) serum concentrations (Cp) were followed in six epileptic mentally retarded patients when carbamazepine (CBZ) was discontinued. VPA Cp significantly increased when CBZ was discontinued. A new plateau of VPA Cp was achieved 4 weeks post-CBZ discontinuation. This time factor is analogous to the autoinduction property of CBZ. Careful VPA Cp monitoring is recommended when CBZ or other enzyme inducing agents are discontinued.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid