AboutSophia, R.N., M.S. Expertise Almost any questions pertaining to epilepsy, seizures, pseudo-seizures, testing for epilepsy, medications, surgery. Self-care, appropriate emergency measures, medication side-effects, drug interactions etc.
Experience Working as an epilepsy nurse clinican in a large comprehensive epilepsy center for 15 years. Previous employment with a major pharmaceutical company working in pharmaceutical research. Before that - varied experience in nursing.
Question I have a question about the levels of Carbatrol. I take 700 mg a day. I have my levels tested every 6 months. The levels for me are best at 8.7 - 9.0. I had surgery and my levels in April 2009 was at 7.3 (had bone surgery and lost a lot of blood) Now I had my levels tested a few days ago. They were 6.0. This is very very low for me. I have not changed any meds or foods. Do you know what would cause this change. I have been on carbatrol for 9 years. No problems. Have you ever seen a drop. If so, why. Thank you so much for your time.
Answer Dear Deb,
To answer your question, yes. This is fairly common with carbamazepine and some other antiepileptic medications. There is a change on how you metabolize the drug, and the plasma levels will be lower. Often it has to do with what other medications you are taking. Some other medications will react with the carbamazepine and drop the levels.
Deb, you either have to reduce any other meds which may be affecting the carbamazepine, or raise the Carbitrol dose.
Good luck to you. Write if you have other questions.
Sophia
