[Effect of (+)-catechin on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in rabbits].

The influence of (+)-catechin ((+)-cyanidanol-3, Catergen) on the absorption, distribution and elimination of the anti-convulsant drug carbamazepine was studied in rabbits. At a dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. (+)-catechin caused a delayed absorption of carbamazepine (40 mg/kg p.o.), as evidenced by a shift of tmax from 2 h in controls to 6 h in (+)-catechin-treated animals. The maximum concentrations as well as the elimination half-lives for carbamazepine were not different in both groups. After reducing the dose both for (+)-catechin (50 mg/kg p.o.) and carbamazepine (10 mg/kg p.o.) the observed effect on the absorption no longer occurred. Repeated oral administration of carbamazepine (10 mg/kg p.o.) for 5 days showed no differences in the maximum concentrations at the expected tmax (2 h) for controls and (+)-catechin-treated animals.