WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• The occurrence of central nervous system-related adverse effects has been apparently related to the absorption rate of carbamazepine (CBZ).• However, the differing absorption rate metrics of four carbamazepine formulations in a bioequivalence study were unclearly associated with the incidence of adverse effects. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The relationship between the incidence of most neurological adverse effects and the absorption rate of CBZ was quantitatively established.• A mixed-effect PK-PD model demonstrated the rapid development of acute tolerance to these effects.• Characterization of PD and PK-PD sensitivities showed that clinically significant differences in toxicity can exist between bioequivalent CBZ formulations. AIMSTo assess whether, using the current regulatory criteria, therapeutically important differences can exist between bioequivalent carbamazepine (CBZ) tablets. A secondary goal was to demonstrate quantitatively the relationship between the risk of neurological adverse effects to orally ingested CBZ and the rate of absorption. METHODSResults of a bioequivalence study by Olling et al. (Biopharm Drug Dispos 1999; 20: 19-28) were reanalysed. Following an exploratory data analysis step, a mixed-effect pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was built to describe the dependence of adverse events on the CBZ concentration. RESULTSRapid development of tolerance was demonstrated for most neurological adverse effects, with a characteristic half-life of 02.29 h and an initial EC50 of 2.33 mg l -1. The resulting tolerance PK-PD model was characterized further using the tools and terminology of sensitivity analysis. It was demonstrated that the maximum concentration (Cmax) exhibits poor PK and PD sensitivities, and that clinically significant differences can exist between formulations which otherwise comply with the bioequivalence requirements. In contrast, another PK metric, the partial AUC, was a much better marker of the early neurological adverse events observable during the absorption phase of the drug. CONCLUSIONSIn clinical and regulatory considerations, the development of acute tolerance for adverse effects of CBZ must be taken into account. Partial AUC reflects more sensitively the risk of adverse events than Cmax. Instead of the current trend of tightening of the bioequivalence criteria for narrow therapeutic index drugs, the use of alternative, more sensitive PK metrics is proposed.