Plasma concentrations of carbamazepine and carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide during pregnancy and after delivery.

Plasma concentrations of carbamazepine were monitored in 9 pregnant epileptic patients treated with the drug alone at constant doses during pregnancy and for at least 3 months after delivery. In addition, plasma concentrations of the metabolite, carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide were measured in 6 of the 9 patients. Plasma carbamazepine concentrations were fairly stable during pregnancy, and carbamazepine relative plasma clearances were significantly higher in weeks 4 to 24 than in weeks 25 to 32. After the end of the second trimester, there were no variations in plasma carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide concentrations and carbamazepine 10,11-epoxide:carbamazepine ratios. Both parameters were significantly higher in weeks 4 to 24 than in weeks 25 to 32 of pregnancy.