Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (Active metabolite of carbamazepine) (chromatography)
Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide is the main active metabolite of carbamazepine, which has its own pharmacological action comparable in activity to the parent drug. Its concentration is particularly important in conditions where carbamazepine metabolism is altered (e.g., when taken concomitantly with liver enzyme inhibitors or inducers). Heightened epoxide levels may cause side effects even at normal concentrations of the parent drug.
The metabolite is determined by HPLC-MS/MS, which provides high accuracy and reproducibility, which is critical when fine adjustment of therapy is necessary.