Comparison of plasma and saliva concentrations of the active monohydroxy metabolite of oxcarbazepine in patients at steady state.

A study was performed in ten patients, stabilized with oxcarbazepine monotherapy (450-750 mg bid) for two weeks minimum, to investigate the possibility of using saliva to monitor the oxcarbazepine therapy. Thirteen paired blood and saliva samples were taken over 24 h. The saliva samples were obtained after stimulation. The analysis performed on the data suggests a dose dependence for the relationship between plasma and saliva concentrations of the main active metabolite, 10, 11-dihydro-10-hydroxycarbamazepine (MHD), and the importance of the type of stimulation for the saliva's production. Therefore it would be preferable to use plasma concentrations to monitor oxcarbazepine therapy, if necessary.