ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG CONCENTRATIONS IN PLASMA:Clinical Evaluation of 321 Estimations in 237 Unselected Patients

Abstract

Two chromatographic methods of estimating plasma concentrations of antiepileptic drugs, designed by the authors and described elsewhere, have been used to examine 321 samples of plasma. The methods have bcen shown to be simple and to fit satisfactorily into a busy laboratory programme. Results obtained with both methods have been found to agree with those of other workers who used a wide variety of techniques. Ranges of plasma concentrations of four commonly-used drugs have bccn established. Plasma concentrations do not correlate well with drug doses in individual patients. Negligible plasma concentrations have been found in some patients. Possihle metahnlic interactions have been revealed.14'