title: Pharmacokinetic profile of flunarizine after single and multiple dosing in epileptic patients receiving comedication.
abstract: This preliminary clinical study describes the pharmacokinetic characteristics of flunarizine (FLN) following single and multiple dosing in epileptic patients receiving comedication. Three groups [phenytoin (PHT) only, carbamazepine (CBZ) only, and PHT plus CBZ] of four patients each were studied. Large interindividual differences, but no statistically significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters, were observed between the three groups. Following a single dose, mean values (and ranges) for apparent clearance, volume distribution, and elimination half-life (t1/2) were 0.504 L/h/kg (0.086-1.119), 12,431 L (1,959-20,920), and 308 h (61-506), respectively. FLN had no effect on PHT or CBZ steady-state levels but PHT or CBZ appeared to induce the metabolic disposition of FLN. The effect of dose on FLN kinetics could not be evaluated in this preliminary study.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Branch, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kapetanovic
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Torchin
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kupferberg
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Treiman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Giorgio
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cereghino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D005444:Flunarizine