title: Elevation of plasma carbamazepine concentrations by ketoconazole in patients with epilepsy.
abstract: The effect of ketoconazole (200 mg/d orally for 10 days) on the plasma concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its active metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) was assessed in eight patients with epilepsy stabilized on CBZ therapy. Administration of ketoconazole was associated with a significant increase in plasma CBZ concentrations (from 5.6 +/- 1.9 to 7.2 +/- 2.9 micrograms/ml on day 10 [means +/- SD, P < 0.02]), whereas plasma concentrations of CBZ-E were unchanged. After ketoconazole was discontinued, plasma CBZ levels decreased to pretreatment values. This interaction was probably mediated by an inhibiting action of ketoconazole on cytochrome CYP3A4, the main enzyme responsible for CBZ metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Scordo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perucca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002220:Carbamazepine; D007654:Ketoconazole