Therapeutic Serum Concentration Measurement of Oxcarbazepine in Epilepsy Patient

Aim: To study measurement of the therapeutic serum concentration of Oxcarbazepine (OXC) in children diagnosed with epilepsy and to analyze the relationship among the serum drug concentration of OXC based on drug dose/weight. To observe therapeutic range of OXC to provide them a reference basis for the effective treatment plan (dose of drug, effectiveness of ongoing drug, adverse reactions). This will help us to make an early decision on the plan of treatment and management to ensure the quality rehabilitation and good prognosis.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed in Jiamusi Central hospital, China from Jan. 2016 to May. 2016.

Objective: To measure the therapeutic serum concentration of Oxcarbazepine (OXC) in 33 Chinese children diagnosed with epilepsy. To investigate and study the association of serum drug concentration of OXC based on drug dose/weight and clinical effects. The aim of our research is to understand the basis of therapeutic range of OXC and possibility of their practical significance as a reference basis for effective treatment plan, thus, helping us to make an effective decision on the plan of treatment and management to ensure quality rehabilitation and good prognosis. Methodology: Thirty-three cases (18 girls,15 boys: age range 3-12 years) were considered based on strict eligibility criteria for Epilepsy along with clinical examination and EEG. From all patients, 100 μl venous blood sample was drawn and sent for API 3200 SERIES HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography): MHD standard for further analysis. Data analysis was performed from obtained measured serum OXC valued using SPSS20.0 Statistical software.

Results: From blood samples of thirty-three epileptic patients, our result showed the mean plasma level of MHD was 11.9 mg/l (mean range 3.44 mg/l to 17.045 mg/l), with mean OXC dose 20.32 mg/kg/day (mean range 5.5 mg/kg/day to 32.14 mg/kg/day) prescribed for 3 weeks to 6 months. Even at lowest serum OXC concentration 3.44 mg/l, seizure was well controlled with no adverse toxicity. Complete seizure control attained among eleven patients. OXC exhibits a linear relationship between drug dose/weight and serum OXC concentration (r=0.0728, p< 0.01); independent to sex and age. 2 cases out of 33 was found to be drug resistant epilepsy.

Conclusion: Our study provided us a time window determination for the effective treatment choice, complete control of epileptic seizures drug resistant epilepsy and no serious side effects were documented. Based on our findings, routine practice of measuring OXC concentration in epilepsy can be a clinical significance. However, further research is required to validate our hypothesis.