Carbamazepine serum levels in children with epilepsy: a micro immuno-assay technique.

In part 1 of this study, 26 children with seizures were given 20 mg/kg/day carbamazepine and five developed side-effects. With this initial dose, equilibrium was reached in the serum within four to six days in 25 of the 26 children. The sudden withdrawal of other anticonvulsants did not usually affect the rise of carbamazepine in serum, unless given in high doses. In Part 2 of the study it was shown that satisfactory levels were obtained in the serum of 38 children given carbamazepine either twice or three times daily, but higher levels were obtained with the latter. The lowest carbamazepine serum level associated with complete control of seizures was 6mg/1. Seizure control was comparable whether carbamazepine was given twice or three times daily. Complete control of temporal-lobe seizures was obtained in nine of 20 children, and of grand mal in 10 of 18 children. Serum levels of carbamazepine remained remarkable constant during the follow-up period of between 10 and 30 months.