Inhibition of anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine by aminophylline and caffeine in rats.

ABSTRACT

Interaction of two well known methyl xanthines, aminophylline--an antiasthmatic agent--and caffeine--commonly present in beverages, on the seizure protective ability of carbamazepine (CBZ) against electrically and chemically induced seizures in rats was investigated. Aminophylline (75 mg/kg, ip) did not alter the activity of CBZ (10 mg/kg, ip; ED100) on maximal electroshock seizures while dose dependent antagonism of CBZ efficacy was seen at 100 and 150 mg/kg, ip. Similar effects were observed with caffeine (200 and 250 mg/kg, ip). At the highest tolerated doses, aminophylline (150 mg/kg, ip) and caffeine (250 mg/kg, ip) produced antagonism of CBZ protection against pentylenetetrazole seizures. These observations support the possibility that the antagonism due to the interaction of these drugs could be related to their action at adenosine receptor sites in the brain.