title: Inhibition of phenobarbitone N-glucosidation by valproate.
abstract: Plasma phenobarbitone concentrations and daily urinary excretion of phenobarbitone and its metabolites p-hydroxyphenobarbitone (conjugated and unconjugated), and [S]-phenobarbitone-N-glucoside were measured under steady-state conditions in two groups of epileptic patients, (i) taking phenobarbitone with or without other drugs, but not valproate (n = 12), and (ii) taking phenobarbitone with other drugs including valproate (n = 8). Mean steady-state plasma phenobarbitone concentrations were 5.9 mg l-1 higher, relative to drug dose, in the patients taking valproate than in those not taking valproate. Urinary excretion of [S]-phenobarbitone-N-glucoside was significantly lower in the group taking valproate (1.9 +/- s.d. 2.0% of phenobarbitone dose vs 16.2 +/- s.d. 9.9%). Urinary excretion of phenobarbitone (23.7 +/- s.d. 9.8% vs 48.2 +/- s.d. 13.6%) and unconjugated p-hydroxyphenobarbitone (5.7 +/- s.d. 3.9% vs 16.0 +/- s.d. 9.1%) was higher in those taking valproate, while conjugated p-hydroxyphenobarbitone excretion was similar in both groups (8.3 +/- s.d. 4.9% vs 6.5 +/- s.d. 2.9%). Valproate appeared to inhibit both the direct N-glucosidation of phenobarbitone and the O-glucuronidation of p-hydroxyphenobarbitone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bernus
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eadie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid; D010634:Phenobarbital