Effect of some antiepileptic drugs [AEDS] on male puberty in adolescent epileptic patients receiving long-term therapy

It has been observed that male epileptic children receiving antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] have often complained of delayed development of the secondary sexual characters at the time of puberty, suggesting the occurrence of drug-induced delayed puberty. In the current study, the effects of epilepsy itself and/or the chronic use of AEDs on this developmental process were evaluated. Forty-five epileptic patients [15 untreated, 15 phenytoin treated and 15 carbamazepine-treated] and 15 healthy normal controls were studied by serum analysis for luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], free testosterone [FT] as well as by assessment of the testicular volume. Results showed decreased serum levels of LN, FSH and FT in the untreated as well as the long-term phenytoin [PFIT] or carbamazepine [CBZ] monotherapy. Moreover, the testicular volume was significantly reduced in all untreated and treated patients with different regimens. The results suggested that the disease condition per se has a delaying effect on the male puberty and that PHT and CBZ may have an additive influence

Detection of some antipsychotics in hair and nail

Measurement of therapeutic drug concentration have most commonly been determined from body fluids that reflect drug use within few days prior to sampling, therefore cannot distinguish between acute or chronic drug use. In the current study, human hair and nail were used for analysis to detect antipsychotic drugs [haloperidol and chlorpromazine] in cases of prolonged exposure. The patients selected were using the drugs for four months to give chance for nail and hair containing during to appear. Twenty patients were chosen, ten for each drug. Their ages were between 26-59 of either sex. Hair and nail samples taken after four months were positive