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Characterization of hydrogen bonding between selected barbiturates and polyethylene glycol 4000 by IR spectral analysis.

Several barbiturates and primidone were equilibrated with polyethylene glycol 4000 in pyridine. IR spectral properties of these samples indicate that seven disubstituted barbiturates complex with polyethylene glycol 4000 while five disubstituted barbiturates and two trisubstituted barbiturates as well as primidone do not. Forces responsible for complexation of barbiturates with polyethylene glycol 4000, as inferred from spectral data, consist of hydrogen bonds formed between N1 and N3 hydrogens of the barbiturate ring and two oxygen atoms of the --O--CH2CH2--O--moiety. Also, there appear to be three configurations of intermolecular hydrogen bonding sites between disubstituted barbiturates. Several factors affect the barbiturate-polyethylene glycol 4000 interaction, including the nature of the solvent, C5 substituents, the number of hydrogen bonds formed between reactants, and the 2-carbonyl group of the barbiturate ring. Complexes of polyethylene glycol 4000 with phenobarbital, butabarbital, and cyclobarbital are stable in water at 26 degrees or below, but complexes of polyethylene glycol 4000 with butethal, cyclopentenyl allylbarbituric acid, pentobarbital, and probarbital are not.

Barbiturates↗

Computer modeling of adsorption on an activated charcoal surface.

The molecular modeling program SYBYL was used to simulate the adsorption of various barbiturates by an activated charcoal surface. The compounds barbituric acid (BA), barbital (B), phenobarbital (PB), mephobarbital (M), and primidone (Pr) were modeled, and their structures were energetically minimized. These structures agreed with literature reports for the conformations of these molecules in dimethyl sulfoxide-d6, methanol-d4, and chloroform-d. The activated charcoal surface was modeled using graphitic crystallites which had either no oxygen-containing functional group, a C-OH functional group, or a C = O functional group. The presence of the C-O (presumably C-OH) and C = O functional states on activated charcoal surfaces had been previously determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was assumed that the crystallite was locally flat. Upon docking, conformational changes were observed for barbital, phenobarbital, mephobarbital, and primidone. Estimates for the heat of adsorption ranged from -62.3 kJ/mol for barbituric acid to -91.1 kJ/mol for mephobarbital on the hydroxylated surface. Allowance for the heat of desorption of the required number of water molecules from the surface, also determined by SYBYL, gave heat of displacement values of -19.4 kJ/mol for barbituric acid and -32.6 kJ/mol for mephobarbital. These values compared well to the heat of displacement values obtained by isoperibol calorimetry, which were -20.3 kJ/mol for barbituric acid and -31.6 kJ/mol for mephobarbital. Previous laboratory studies had demonstrated the greater importance of the C-O functional state for barbiturate adsorption compared to the C = O functional state. The computer-modeled system predicted the same result.

Adsorption↗

Pilot efficacy and tolerability: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam for essential tremor.

The purpose of this pilot single-site study was to assess efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for essential tremor, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover design with an interim analysis planned after completion of the first 10 to 15 subjects. The study was designed to detect a mean 30% reduction in composite tremor score, comparable to that of primidone or propranolol, which can be demonstrated with 30 or fewer subjects. Each treatment arm included baseline tremor assessments, a 4-week medication titration, 2 weeks of stable dose, and treatment tremor assessments. Levetiracetam was titrated to 3,000 mg/day or to a lower maximal tolerated dose. The median age was 72 years, with 28 years median tremor duration. There was no statistically significant difference in response between placebo and levetiracetam on any tremor rating scale or accelerometry measure. The 95% confidence interval for the true mean difference between placebo and levetiracetam treatments was +18.5 to -22.5%, which excludes the minimum 30% drop required to consider levetiracetam clinically effective to a degree comparable to primidone or propranolol. Whether levetiracetam has lesser-degree antitremor efficacy was not addressed in this pilot study.

Aged↗

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on somatostatin release in vitro.

In the present study we investigated the effect of antiepileptic drugs on high potassium (50 mM) stimulated somatostatin release in rat cortical slices in a superfusion system. The somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) in superfusate was determined by radioimmunoassay. The antiepileptic drugs studied, vigabatrin, valproate, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, clonazepam and phenytoin were tested at a concentration range of 1-1000 microM). Of the drugs used vigabatrin had the most significant inhibitory effect on SLI release (IC50 = 240 microM). Vigabatrin also caused a concomitant, dose-dependent increase in superfusate gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) level. A 30% decrease in the release of SLI followed incubation with valproate and carbamazepine, but only at high drug concentrations (1000 microM). Phenobarbital, primidone, clonazepam and phenytoin did not affect SLI release. Addition of GABA to superfusate caused a dose-dependent decrease in the amount of SLI release (IC50 = 56 microM). In conclusion, at low concentrations the antiepileptic drugs had only minor effects on SLI release. At higher concentrations, however, vigabatrin and valproate decreased the release of SLI, which may relate to their ability to elevate tissue levels of GABA.

Animals↗

Effect of levetiracetam on the pharmacokinetics of adjunctive antiepileptic drugs: a pooled analysis of data from randomized clinical trials.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of levetiracetam on the steady-state serum concentrations of other commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Serum AED concentrations were measured at baseline and after adjunctive therapy with levetiracetam (1000-4000 mg/day) or placebo in four phase III trials in patients with refractory partial epilepsy receiving stable AED dosages. The data were pooled, and repeated measures covariance analysis was used to calculate the ratio (and 90% confidence intervals) of the geometric mean serum drug concentrations during adjunctive levetiracetam therapy relative to baseline. Levetiracetam did not increase or decrease mean steady-state serum concentrations of carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid, lamotrigine, gabapentin, phenobarbital, or primidone. For each of these AEDs, the 90% confidence interval of the geometric mean drug concentrations ratio was included within the 80-125% bioequivalence range. Serum concentrations of these AEDs did not change over time after adjunctive levetiracetam therapy, irrespective of the dosage of levetiracetam used. For vigabatrin, there was no evidence for a significant change in serum drug concentration after the addition of levetiracetam, but the number of observations was too small for the limits of the confidence interval to fall within the 80-125% range. Thus, adjunctive therapy with levetiracetam does not influence the steady-state serum concentrations of concomitantly administered carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid, lamotrigine, gabapentin, phenobarbital, or primidone. Consequently, no need for adjusting the dosages of these AEDs is anticipated when levetiracetam is added on or removed from a patient's therapeutic regimen.

Adolescent↗

Neuroteratogens in man: an overview with special emphasis on the teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy.

The most active growth and development of the human cerebrum and cerebellum occurs in the second half of pregnancy and in the first year of life. It is therefore not surprising that many teratogens may also affect development causing slight, moderate or even severe brain damage. The "classical" antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) valproic acid (VPA), phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone and carbamazepine are all considered to be teratogenic. They may increase the rate of major congenital anomalies including neural tube defects (NTD), cause specific facial and other dysmorphic features--the "Anti Epileptic Drug Syndrome" (AEDS) and often some degree of mental impairment. Of these AEDs, the most teratogenic seems to be valproic acid, causing about 2% of NTD and an additional increase of 4-8% in major congenital anomalies. Phenytoin also increases the rate of various anomalies, but apparently not of NTD. Phenobarbital primidone and carbamazepine are also teratogenic and impair intellectual function but to a lesser extent than VPA and phenytoin. Cognition is mainly impaired in the children that also exhibit the AEDS. The impairment is slight to moderate, leaving the affected children with a close to borderline intelligence. Lamotrigine monotherapy in pregnancy seems to be relatively safe. In general, polytherapy is more dangerous to the fetus than monotherapy and, at least for VPA and lamotrigine, there seems to be a "threshold effect".

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

EMIT antiepileptic drug assays adapted to an Abbott-VP Analyzer and compared with a gas-chromatographic procedure.

The Abbott-VP Bichromatic Analyzer was used for the determination of four antiepileptic drugs (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone) in serum by means of a modified EMIT homogeneous enzyme immunoassay procedure. The main objective of the work was to examine the precision and the accuracy of the results obtained with this system and its cost effectiveness in comparison to the manual method. Day-to-day precision for all four drugs is excellent with coefficients of variation averaging around 5% in the therapeutic range of concentrations. Results for sera analyzed by this procedure and by a gas chromatographic method do not show any significant difference for phenytoin and phenobarbital. There are however slight differences between the two methods for carbamazepine and primidone. These small differences do not modify significantly the clinical interpretation of the results. The procedure is simple and rapid, and requires only one third of the reagents needed in the recommended manual EMIT procedure using the Gilford Stasar III, thus greatly reducing the operation costs.

Anticonvulsants↗

Overflow urinary incontinence due to carbamazepine.

We describe the first well documented case of overflow urinary incontinence owing to prolonged carbamazepine treatment for temporal lobe seizures. Carbamazepine increased the bladder capacity to 1,700 ml. and was accompanied by symptoms of urgency and frequency. After carbamazepine was discontinued and the patient was given primidone the voiding symptoms disappeared. Post-voiding catheterization of the bladder showed minimal residual urine volume. In a review of urological adverse reactions of anticonvulsant drugs that are effective in the management of temporal lobe seizures we found that only primidone and phenobarbital have not been convincingly associated with such side effects. However, phenytoin and clonazepam have been linked with urinary incontinence, and valproic acid with enuresis.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacodynamic interaction studies with topiramate in the pentylenetetrazol and maximal electroshock seizure models.

There is emerging evidence to support the efficacy of some antiepileptic drug (AED) combinations in refractory epilepsy. Definitive clinical studies are, however, difficult to perform. Experimental seizure models can be employed to identify potentially useful combinations for subsequent clinical evaluation. We have investigated the anticonvulsant effects of topiramate (TPM) in combination with 13 other AEDs in the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) seizure models. Single drugs and combinations were administered by intraperitoneal injection and anticonvulsant effects determined at 1-hour post-dosing. TPM was without significant effect in the PTZ test. In contrast, phenobarbital, primidone, ethosuximide, sodium valproate, felbamate and tiagabine all increased the latency to the first generalised seizure. Combinations of TPM and active adjunctive drug were universally effective. Combinations of TPM with clobazam, lamotrigine and levetiracetam were also anticonvulsant, despite the inactivity of the constituent compounds when administered alone. TPM reduced the incidence of MES-induced seizures in a dose-dependent manner, as did phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, clobazam, lamotrigine, felbamate and tiagabine. All combination treatments were similarly effective. These findings suggest that combinations of TPM with lamotrigine and levetiracetam may demonstrate anticonvulsant synergism and merit further investigation in additional model systems and with recourse to more quantitative mathematical analysis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Pharmacologic management of epilepsy in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiology and pharmacologic management of epilepsy in elderly patients. DATA SOURCES: Controlled trials, case studies, and review articles identified via MEDLINE using the search terms epilepsy, seizures, elderly, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and zonisamide. Recently published standard textbooks on epilepsy were also consulted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder in the elderly. Cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases are the most common causes of new-onset seizures in these patients. Alterations in protein binding, distribution, elimination, and increased sensitivity to the pharmacodynamic effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are relatively frequent, and these factors should be assessed at the initiation, and during adjustment, of treatment. Drug-drug interactions are also an important issue in elderly patients, because multiple drug use is common and AEDs are susceptible to many interactions. In addition to understanding age-related changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of AEDs, clinicians should know the common seizure types in the elderly and the spectrum of AED activity for these seizure types. AEDs with activity against both partial-onset and generalized seizures include felbamate, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, valproic acid, and zonisamide. Other AEDs discussed in this review (carbamazepine, gabapentin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and tiagabine) are most useful for partial-onset seizures. CONCLUSION: The provision of safe and effective drug therapy to elderly patients requires an understanding of the unique age-related changes' in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of AEDs as well as an appreciation of common seizure types and the drugs that are effective for the specific types seen in the elderly.

Absorption↗

Simultaneous determination of psychoactive drugs and their metabolites in aqueous matrices by liquid chromatography mass Spectrometry.

A multi-residue method was developed that allows for the simultaneous determination of psychoactive compounds such as opioids, tranquilizers, antiepileptics (primidone, carbamazepine plus two metabolites),the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine, the antidepressant doxepin, as well as the calcium channel blocker verapamil in raw and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, and drinking water. After solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB at neutral pH, the analytes were detected by LC electrospray tandem MS in the positive ion mode. With a few exceptions relative recoveries of the analytes exceeded 70%. The limits of quantification were in the low ng/L range. Matrix effects were compensated by using appropriate deuterated or 13C-15N-labeled surrogate standards. For raw and treated wastewater, concentration factors were lowered to reduce matrix effects. Most analytes (15 of 20) were found in raw and treated wastewater as well as in surface water, and hence, are presumably ubiquitously present in the environment. Antiepileptics, the opium alkaloids morphine and codeine, dihydrocodeine, the two tranquilizers oxazepam and temazepam, the opioid tramadol, doxepin, and verapamil were detected in STP discharges and German rivers at concentrations up to the microg/L range. In drinking water, only carbamazepine, its metabolite 10,11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine, and primidone were present at concentrations up to 0.020 microg/L.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗

Effects of anticonvulsants on local anaesthetic-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

The effects of various anticonvulsants on local anaesthetics procaine- and lidocaine-induced convulsions were investigated in rats. Pretreatment with diazepam (2.5-5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and clonazepam (5-10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) completely protected the rats against both local anaesthetic-induced convulsions. Phenobarbital (12.5-50 mg/kg, subcutaneously) also significantly decreased the incidence of both convulsions and prolonged their latencies. Carbabazepine (10-40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) did not completely repress both convulsions, but it prolonged their latencies. Phenytoin (5-20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and primidone (30-60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) markedly enhanced both local anaesthetic-induced convulsions, as shown by shortening of latency and increase in mortality. Valproate (100-200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) produced a protective effect against procaine-induced convulsions, while it strongly enhanced lidocaine-induced convulsions. These results suggest that the benzodiazepines are effective drugs to prevent neurotoxicity induced by local anaesthetics, while phenytoin and primidone potentiate them.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Selection of drugs for the treatment of epilepsy.

Antiepileptic drug selection is based on efficacy for specific seizure types and epileptic syndromes. For idiopathic generalized epilepsies with absence, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic seizures, the drug of choice is valproate. Secondary generalized epilepsies with tonic, atonic, and other seizure types are difficult to treat with any single drug or combination of drugs. The drugs of choice for absence seizures are ethosuximide and valproate. For control of tonic-clonic seizures, any of the other major antiepileptic drugs can be effective. If valproate cannot be used, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or primidone is effective, but ethosuximide or a benzodiazepine needs to be added to control associated absence or myoclonic seizures. The drugs of first choice for partial epilepsies with partial and secondarily tonic-clonic seizures are carbamazepine and phenytoin. Increasing evidence suggests that valproate may be a third alternative. Phenobarbital and primidone are second choice selections because of side effects. A combination of two of these five major antiepileptic drugs may be necessary for inadequately controlled patients. Other epilepsy syndromes such as neonatal and infantile epilepsies, febrile epilepsy, and alcoholic epilepsy require specific drug treatment. For all these seizure types and epilepsy syndromes, treatment ultimately must be selected to provide maximal efficacy and minimal adverse effect for each individual patient.

Anticonvulsants↗

Classification of essential tremor.

Classification of essential tremor was attempted using tremor frequency; tremor duration; family history of tremor; responsiveness to alcohol, propranolol, and primidone; muscle contraction pattern; and long-latency reflexes. Sixty-one patients were evaluated. The majority of patients had a tremor frequency less than 7.0 Hz, a positive family history, and a positive response to alcohol. Approximately 46% of patients had a beneficial response with propranolol and 71% with primidone. Tremor frequency was inversely correlated with age and directly correlated with an antagonist pattern of muscle contraction. Enhanced long-latency reflexes were not found. Other characteristics of essential tremor were not significantly correlated. It is concluded that essential tremor can not be classified into subtypes.

Aged↗

Salivary anticonvulsant levels in children: a comparison of methods.

Levels of the anticonvulsant drugs phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and primidone were measured in the plasma and saliva of 202 epileptic children (5 months-18 years old). Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and EMIT immunoassay were used to analyse the samples. Saliva to plasma ratios were as follows (means +/- SD). phenobarbitone: GLC, 0.30 +/- 0.05 (r = 0.94); EMIT, 0.31 +/- 0.06 (r = 0.92); phenytoin: GLC, 0.11 +/- 0.02 (r = 0.94); EMIT, 0.12 +/- 0.04 (r = 0.86); carbamazepine: GLC, 0.26 +/- 0.05 (r = 0.91); EMIT, 0.25 +/- 0.06 (r = 0.83); primidone: GLC, 1.04 +/- 0.24 (r = 0.94); EMIT, 0.95 +/- 0.20 (r = 0.98). There was good agreement between the two methods, and the ratios obtained are the same as those found for adults.

Adolescent↗

Essential tremor. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common adult tremor disorder and is characterized by postural and kinetic tremor. Symptoms are typically progressive and potentially disabling, often forcing patients to change jobs or seek early retirement. Proper treatment is contingent on a correct diagnosis, and other possible causes of tremor must be excluded. REVIEW SUMMARY: Although primidone and propranolol have been regarded as the mainstays of pharmacologic therapy for ET, additional agents may be useful in reducing tremor. Surgical procedures are available that effectively ameliorate tremor that is refractory to medical management. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options for ET. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a range of treatment options currently available, further research is necessary to manage this syndrome most effectively. Double-blind, controlled trials are needed to determine whether primidone, propranolol, or a combination of these medications is superior in the initial management of ET. Other pharmacologic agents have shown potential to reduce tremor and should be investigated further. Additional studies are also needed to determine the best treatment of head and voice tremor with pharmacologic and surgical interventions. With proper treatment, tremor is sufficiently reduced in the majority of patients.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Risk factors for the increased seizure frequency during pregnancy and puerperium.

Possible factors affecting the seizure frequency during pregnancy and puerperium were prospectively studied on 125 cases, paying particular attention to the drug compliance and the antiepileptic drug disposition. Of the subjects, 27% were under the poor compliance category. As the reasons for the poor compliance, anxiety about the side effects of antiepileptic drugs including teratogenecity and the harmful effects on their newborns by breast feeding were found in about half of them. In the cases with regular drug taking, 80% showed no change in the seizure frequency whereas only 16% exhibited an increase and 4% a decrease. The apparent serum clearance of phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbitone derived from primidone and valproic acid increased during pregnancy and puerperium. In some cases, the lowering of the serum level of drugs was associated with the aggravation of seizures.

Anticonvulsants↗

The effect of multiple anticonvulsant therapy on the expression of phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth.

The potential effect of co-medication with phenobarbitone, primidone and carbamazepine on plasma and saliva concentrations of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (4-HPPH), the major metabolite of phenytoin in man and on the incidence of phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth was investigated in a group of 36 adult epileptic patients. There were no significant differences in plasma or saliva concentrations of 4-HPPH or phenytoin in patients prescribed phenytoin alone, compared to those who received phenytoin with either phenobarbitone, primidone, or carbamazepine. In addition, the extent and the incidence of gingival overgrowth were similar in the 2 groups. The results suggest that chronic co-medication with other anti-convulsant drugs which induce phenytoin metabolism, does not affect the plasma or saliva 4-HPPB steady-state levels, nor the degree of gingival overgrowth in adult epileptic patients on therapy with phenytoin.

Adult↗