Chromosomal damage in epileptics on monotherapy with carbamazepine and diphenylhydantoin.

We analyzed the leukocyte chromosomes of 10 epileptic probands on monotherapy with carbamazepine (CP), of 14 epileptic probands on monotherapy with diphenylhydantoin (DPH) and of 20 clinically normal probands (controls, CO). In the CP and in the DPH group we found a significant elevation of exchange-type aberrations as compared to the CO group. In the CP group we found predominantly chromatid translocations, in the DPH group exclusively dicentric chromosomes.