title: Effects of cimetidine on carbamazepine auto- and hetero-induction in man.
abstract: The effect of cimetidine (CMT; 400 mg twice daily) and matching placebo on the enzyme-inducing properties of carbamazepine (CBZ; 200 mg at night for 15 days) was studied in seven healthy male volunteers. CMT alone had no significant effect on antipyrine kinetics, urinary 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion or leucocyte delta-aminolaevulinic acid synthase (ALA.S) activity. CBZ increased leucocyte ALA.S activity by 204% following 1 week's treatment (P less than 0.001). Thereafter, ALA.S activity fell despite continued CBZ administration. Concomitant CMT did not influence this response. Antipyrine clearance and urinary 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion were both increased by CBZ after 2 weeks' treatment (P less than 0.01). CMT blocked CBZ induction of antipyrine metabolism but the rise in urinary 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion was unaffected. Plasma CBZ concentrations 10, 14 and 18 h following the 8th and 15th doses were higher when CMT was taken concurrently (P less than 0.05). CBZ half-life fell by 36% and clearance rose by 29% (both P less than 0.001) with placebo and by 10% and 7% (both NS) when CMT was taken concurrently. CMT inhibits CBZ auto- and hetero-induction in man. Epileptic patients receiving CBZ chronically may be at risk of toxicity if CMT is also prescribed.
mesh_terms: D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000378:metabolism; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D002927:Cimetidine; D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase; D000983:Antipyrine