Pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in protein energy malnutrition.

The pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine was studied in 6 children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and in 6 healthy children. Plasma carbamazepine was estimated by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique. Single-dose concentration profiles after 10 mg/kg of the drug showed lower plasma peak levels. The systemic availability (AUC 0-48 h) of the drug in PEM was also reduced. Based on these observations, suggestions have been made for rescheduling the dosage of the drug in PEM.