Effects of carbamazepine on sex hormonal levels mate epileptic patients

Abstract EN

Objective : To assess the effects of carbamazepine monotherapy on male sex hormonal levels (testosterone, ^tenizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and estradiol) in epileptic male patients taking in consideration duration of therapy, daily dose and age of the patient.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting : Fatients were received in the department of pharmacology, college of Medicine, University of Mosul.

Measurements of hormonal levels were done in Hospital of Nuclear Medicine in Mosul city, from Oct 2004 to May 2005.

Patients and Methods: Forty three male epileptic patients, with certain criteria , were included in this study , they were on carbamazepine monotherapy ..

Forty apparently healthy male subjects 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 especial commercial kits with the aid of a Gamma Counter.

Results : This study revealed a significant increase in the serum level of estradiol in comparsion with the controls, other parameters (testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin) showed no significant differences in comparison with the controls.

No effect have been found for age of patient, duration of therapy or daily dosage, on the measured parameters .

Conclusion : Carbamazepine administration is associated with significant changes in estradiol levels with insignificant changes in testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin in patients on carbamazepine medication, which may require es