Short-term impact of the switch from immediate-release to extended-release oxcarbazepine in epilepsy patients on high dosages

After the switch a significant improvement of tolerability and quality of life was reported according to AEP and QOLIE-10 (p < 0.001). Ameliorations were apparent in almost every patient (AEP: 26 of 27 patients, QOLIE-10: 23 of 27 patients). The improvement not explained by a drop of MHD levels. On the contrary and in line with preclinical data, serum levels of MHD rose significantly (p < 0.001). We suggest that patients on extended-release OXC experience a lower serum concentration peak of the pro-drug OXC.