Few published human data are available concerning the acute toxicity of the new antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine of which the metabolite 10-monohydroxy derivate (MHD) is the pharmacologically effective compound. Two hours after a documented overdosage of more than 100 tablets oxcarbazepine, the serum level of the parent compound was 10-fold higher than the therapeutic dosage (31.6 mg l -1 ). However, the concentration of MHD, which peaked 7 h after intake, was only twofold higher (59.0 mg l -1 ). No life-threatening situations occurred and the patient fully recovered. The fact that oxcarbazepine is a prodrug and that the formation of the active M HD metabolite is a rate-limiting process may contribute to the relative low toxicity of the drug in overdose.

Propranolol serum levels during a 24-hr period were determined every 2 hr in 9 hospitalized patients with angina pectoris after oral administration of 40 mg of propranolol 3 times a day. After the first, second, and third tablets the mean maximum serum propranolol concentrations averaged 118 +/- 71 ng/ml, 134 +/- 97 ng/ml, and 118 +/- 94 ng/ml and the mean minimum concentrations averaged 21 +/- 18 ng/ml, 45 +/- 25 ng/ml, and 54 +/- 34 ng/ml (+/-SD), respectively. These data show a very wide inter- and intraindividual variation in serum propranolol levels. No relationship was found between serum level and blood pressure or dose (related to body weight).

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