Determination of Serum Levels of Antiepileptic Drugs in Children and Its Clinical Application

The serum levels of antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, primidone and sodium valproate) in children was determined by enzyme immunoassay and gas-liquid chromatography. The relation between the serum level and the therapeutic dose, and the interaction of antiepileptic drugs were studied. The drug concentration in serum must be measured in the check of adverse drug reactions and in the determination of therapeutic dose. In the multiple-drug administration, it is difficult to determine the most effective drug from among the drugs combined. But the single-drug therapy is free from causing drug interaction and makes it easy to reduce the dosage of antiepileptic drugs in the process of treatment.