Absence of interaction between oxcarbazepine and erythromycin

When erythromycin (ERY) is co-administrated with the antiepileptic carbamazepine (CBZ), a drug interaction may cause an increase in CBZ plasma concentrations, which can result in CBZ related toxic symptoms. This cross-over study was designated to investigate whether ERY influences the pharmacokinetics of the new antiepileptic oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its metabolites. In 8 healthy volunteers there were no significant differences in AUC, peak plasma concentrations or time to peak concentration when OXC was administered either with or without ERY. The results of this study suggest that OXC may offer an important advantage over CBZ especially when concomitant therapy with ERY is required.