1 Oxcarbazepine (OXC), the 10-keto analogue of carbamazepine (CBZ), has similar anticonvulsant efficacy and possibly improved patient tolerability. Unlike CBZ, it is metabolised by reduction and may not induce hepatic monooxygenase enzymes. 2 Serum concentrations of OXC and its active metabolite 10-OH-carbazepine (10-OH-CZ) were followed after a single 300 mg dose and during and after 300 mg OXC twice daily for 29 doses in eight healthy male volunteers. 3 Antipyrine metabolism, urinary 6-,-hydroxycortisol excretion, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and circulating androgens were measured as indices of hepatic enzyme induction before, during and after treatment with OXC. 4 Elimination half-lives (mean ± s.e. mean) of 10-OH-CZ were unaltered by 2 weeks' therapy with OXC (before 11.3 ± 1.1 h; after 13.9 ± 3 h). Trough plasma concentrations of 10-OH-CZ at steady-state (31 ± 2.2 ,umol 1-1) were higher than predicted (16.5 + 4 ,umol 1-1).5 Antipyrine metabolism, urinary 6-13-hydroxycortisol excretion, SHBG levels and circulating androgens were unaltered by treatment with OXC. 6 OXC (600 mg daily) does not induce hepatic monooxygenase enzymes and so is likely to have more predictable dose-concentration relationships and to produce fewer physiological and pharmacological interactions than CBZ.