Severe overdosage with the antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine.
Few published human data are available concerning the acute toxicity of the new antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine of which the metabolite 10- monohydroxy derivate (MHD) is the pharmacologically effective compound. Two hours after a documented overdosage of more than 100 tablets oxcarbazepine, the serum level of the parent compound was 10-fold higher than the therapeutic dosage (31.6 mg l(-1)). However, the concentration of MHD, which peaked 7 h after intake, was only twofold higher (59.0 mg l(-1)). No life-threatening situations occurred and the patient fully recovered. The fact that oxcarbazepine is a prodrug and that the formation of the active MHD metabolite is a rate-limiting process may contribute to the relative low toxicity of the drug in overdose.
Intensive Care Unit, Maaslandziekenhuis, Sittard, The Netherlands. j.vanopstal@orbisconcern.nl
J M
JM
van Opstal
R
R
Janknegt
J
J
Cilissen
W H V M
WH
L'Ortije
J E
JE
Nel
F
F
De Heer
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000506:poisoning*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine