Species differences in clobazam metabolism and antileptazol effect

Abstract

The antileptazol effect of clobazam lasts longer in the mouse than in the rat. After intraperitoneal injection of clobazam (10 mg kg⁻¹) plasma and brain concentrations of the drug and its rate of disappearance were similar in both species, whereas the metabolite N demethylclobazam was present at higher concentrations and for longer in the mouse than in the rat. Although the exact contribution of the N‐desmethylclobazam to the anticonvulsant effect of clobazam cannot be assessed, the longer duration in mice than in rats seems to be associated with different brain accumulations of the metabolite.