Comparison of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine effects on aminothiol levels.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXCBZ) on aminothiol levels, including homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine, and cysteinylglycine, in chronically treated patients.


METHODS
Epileptic patients receiving CBZ or OXCBZ were recruited as part of routine clinical practice. Demographic data and concomitant medications were recorded from the patient medical file.


RESULTS
Sixty patients were included in the study; 30 patients were treated with CBZ and 30 with OXCBZ. Median Hcy level was significantly higher in CBZ-treated patients (20.6 micromol/l) than in OXCBZ-treated patients (14.0 micromol/l, p < 0.0001). No correlation was evidenced between antiepileptic drugs or metabolite levels and Hcy levels for each group.


CONCLUSIONS
Less change observed with OXCBZ compared with CBZ on aminothiol levels could constitute an advantage for OXCBZ treatment in patients with other factors influencing Hcy levels and/or at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Badiou
Stéphanie
S
Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Breton
Hélène
H
Peyriere
Hélène
H
Charasson
Virginie
V
Crespel
Arielle
A
Gelisse
Philippe
P
Cristol
Jean-Paul
JP
Hillaire-Buys
Dominique
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003545:Cysteine / Q000097:blood; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000097:blood; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D012307:Risk Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004151:Dipeptides; D006710:Homocysteine; D002220:Carbamazepine; C028505:cysteinylglycine; D003545:Cysteine; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine