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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-8-20
pubmed:abstractText
Observations of low postmortem blood concentrations of antiepileptic drugs in cases of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) have led to the assumption that noncompliance may play a role in SUDEP. However, the reliability of postmortem drug levels has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to analyze possible postmortem changes in blood concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT). New Zealand white rabbits were fed with PHT or CBZ until assumed steady state. A blood sample was then drawn for determination of serum and whole blood concentrations of CBZ and PHT, after which the rabbits were killed and stored at 6 degrees C. A further blood sample for drug analysis was obtained 72 hours after death. Antemortem serum concentrations of CBZ were not significantly different from whole blood concentration 72 hours after death. In contrast, antemortem whole blood concentrations of PHT were only 65% of the corresponding serum concentrations, and postmortem PHT blood levels were even lower, being 35% of antemortem serum concentrations. In conclusion, blood concentrations of CBZ seem to be stable during 72 hours after death under these experimental conditions. However, postmortem PHT concentrations should be interpreted with caution and low postmortem concentrations do not necessarily imply a poor compliance.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0163-4356
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
20
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
309-12
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Postmortem changes in blood concentrations of phenytoin and carbamazepine: an experimental study.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article