Carbamazepine: Placental Transport, Tissue Concentrations in Foetus and Newborn, and Level in Milk

Abstract

Carbamazepine pharmacokinetics, in humans, were studied during pregnancy and early childhood by investigating the extent of its placental penetration and its distribution in the fetal and neonatal tissues at autopsy. Fetal liver and kidney contained high carbamazepine levels, whereas brain and lungs had low values. Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide was detected in fetal circulation. At autopsy, carbamazepine was localized mostly in the cerebral cortex, heart, liver and kidney. The concentration in milk apparently was 60% of the respective plasma value. [Carbamazine penetrates the human placental barrier and may cause congenital malformations.].