Effects of Carbamazepine on sex hormonal levels in male epileptic patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of carbamazepine monotherapy on male sex hormonal levels(testosterone, lutenizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin andestradiol) in epileptic male patients taking in consideration duration of therapy, daily dose andage of the patient.Design: Case-control study.Setting: Patients were received in the department of pharmacology, college of Medicine,University of Mosul. Measurements of hormonal levels were done in Hospital of NuclearMedicine in Mosul city, from Oct 2004 to May 2005.Patients and Methods: Forty three male epileptic patients, with certain criteria , were includedin this study , they were on carbamazepine monotherapy .. Forty apparently healthy malesubjects were also included and taken as a control group . For both patients and controls ,assessment of serum testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and estradiol were done using especialcommercial kits with the aid of a Gamma Counter.Results: This study revealed a significant increase in the serum level of estradiol incomparsion with the controls. Other parameters (testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin) showedno significant differences in comparison with the controls. No effect have been found for age ofpatient, duration of therapy or daily dosage, on the measured parameters .Conclusion: Carbamazepine administration is associated with significant changes in estradiollevels with insignificant changes in testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin in patients oncarbamazepine medication, which may require especial attention to this point.